[Protagonist POV]
[December 24th, 11:29 pm]
No one can blind us any longer~
Singing. One of my greatest hobbies. Along with my two best friends, we established "The Band Members", the three-man band that covers popular songs.
We'll run where lights won't chase us~
Guitarist is playing that electric guitar like crazy. Can't blame him, we're holding a concert in Times Square, so a lot of people came here for the show. I'm actually nervous, but I'm an expert in keeping my poker face.
Hide where love can save us~
Drummer is playing his part really great, beyond my expectations, actually. These guys are giving their all. I also have to be 100%. I put my heart into my voice.
I will never let you go~
I gasp for air as Drummer and Guitarist shock the audience with a nearly-accurate version of Zedd's Spectrum. As they play the final part, the crowd shouted in praise.
"YEAH! WOO! ENCORE!"
"And the crowd goes wild," Drummer snickered. Aw sheesh. I didn't even think we'd have a large fanbase since we started out a month ago...
"Seems they enjoyed it, should we do the encore?" Guitarist asked, his hand obviously itching to shred the guitar once again. Ok, if the audience want it...
"Okay, the next one is Midnight City, so get ready to be chilled by an eerie feeling!"
"YEAH!"
[December 25th, 2:29 am]
"Phew, that was exhausting," I said after the concert. We're heading to Drummer's house for a little jam session, and maybe a gaming (grinding) session before resting. Drummer's driving the car, clearly focusing on the road ahead.
Kato Manchester is my real name, but within my friends and fans, I'm nicknamed as 'Vocalist'. You guys already know why. 'Drummer' is John Fitzgerald, not that muscly but has that strength with him, that's why he's a perfect match for drumming. Anton Narobi is the real name of 'Guitarist'. He LOVES guitars and guns, so much that he has a gun license. I know right? Oh, the effect of FPS on him is on a whole another level. All the same age, 16. Yeah, we're just 16 and we have at least 1 million fans (and Anton has a fricking gun license).
I actually don't know why people like our covers. I mean, it's not like that I hate the spotlight, but I didn't think we'd be this well-known. It all began with our first jam session video. It's been in YouTube for quite some time, and damn, the next week after that video first appeared, it already got a hell lot of views. 15 million to this day. The world works in unusual ways, I guess.
[3:00 am]
When I walked by, and you caught my eye~
Didn't you know love could shine this bright?~
So smile because you're the deer in the headlights~
"Phew, could we take a break, coz my hands hurt and I'm really sleepy..." Drummer, or John, pleaded.
"*yawn* I guess so... Hey, why don't we play some Neptunia? Grinding can help us drive away the sleepiness..."
"Oh, come on, Neptunia, 3 in the morning? Wow, how much are ya addicted to grinding, Kato?!"
"Oh, Anton, just roll with it, c'mon guys!"
John sighed, "I still can't believe we're friends with a half British, half Japanese singer/gamer who's really addicted to gaining XP points more than enjoying the story..."
Oh, if you guys are asking, I don't have a British accent, even though I lived in London for 14 years...
[6:30 am]
"Dude, this is just too much..."
"Come on, we need to level up the Twins some more..."
"Dammit, Kato, we give up ya brickhead! We spent 3 and a half hours grinding 2 of the Candidates... And ya still want to grind more!? Why don't we just go back to practice?" Anton shouted, then sighed.
Aw sheesh, let's just go home. "Fine, I'm going home now, let's jam sesh again right after lunch..."
"Okay then, I'll stay here with John for a while. See ya."
I wave my hand and leave. Wow, the sun's out already.
Winter. It's really cold outside. Well, no worries, my house is just a few blocks away so...
Kids having a snowball fight, adults enjoying the snow as much as the kids, it makes me remember that time back then...
I used to play in the snow back in London. I would play nonstop in the morning until Big Ben's hour hand points to 9, triggering me to go back home. Mum would make hot cocoa, Pops would read a newspaper, and I would be blowing my mittens to feel warmth. Oh, wish we could turn back time to those days, eh?
"Hm? Hey, Kato!"
"Oh, hey Aileen."
Aileen Gregory. 16 years of age, a short (not really short in my perspective because we're the same height, 149 cm) brunette, but she's cute. We've been friends since I moved here 2 years ago. So pretty much, I've been by myself while my parents send me money. Of course I have to budget.
"What you doing out in the snow?" she asked while running towards me.
"Came from John's house after a jam session. Was gonna go back home until you showed up."
"Oh, The Band Members gig again? I heard you guys played in Times Square. Didn't have the chance to watch though."
By the tone of her voice, she's disheartened. Oh man.
"D-don't worry, Aileen, maybe next time... Hey, wanna come over for some cocoa?"
Aileen shook her head, "Nah, I have an errand to run. Well, next time, I guess."
"Hm. I guess so. Bye then," I wave goodbye.
"See you!" she let out with a cute smile.
Hmm... Well, we can't stay here now, can we? I gotta go home and make myself some cocoa.
[6:49 am]
*creak*
Oh, finally here. I look at the clock, 6:49. Oh yeah, it's Christmas. Mentioning it brings back memories. Mum would always have something to give me for Christmas, may it be a simple toy, or the trending game console of the year. I do love them.
I go to the kitchen to boil water. I prepare an instant chocolate milk mix, and after pouring its contents to the mug, I pour hot water. Mixing, mixing... A bit of sugar, and...
Yes...
*sip*
I lean back against the kitchen wall, with a window beside me. I can still see those kids enjoying themselves. Makes me a bit jealous myself. Oh!
A kid just tripped. And now she's crying. I go out to help her.
I have a soft spot for kids, practically because of the love and care my parents gave me, so I try to reciprocate it by helping kids. Some of the concerts we held were for children's hospitals and orphanages. And... It makes you feel... Light...
"Oh, here kid, take my hand..."
She takes my hand and I pull her up. Her parents came by and gave thanks to me. "Nah, it's okay, I don't need anything in return... It was just helping her stand up, so..."
"Oh, you are a kind hearted gentleman..."
I lightly blush at the compliment. I wave goodbye to them and went back inside.
I decided to open up my computer to check for gig requests... Nothing... yet.
"Welp..."
I decided to open Steam and download some games...
"Let's just let these download while I sleep a bit... I do admit I'm still sleepy..."
I went upstairs and open the bedroom door (not bothering to change my red polo shirt and reddish denim pants, and not bothering to take off my attachable hood and socks). What I saw next was a BIG surprise.
Two young girls. Might be around the age of a 6th grader, brown hair, wearing the same kind of coat, but one is wearing a blue one, while the other is pink. Also their hair... The blue one is short, while the pink one is longer. How did two kids get in and sleep on my bed? And wait, they look like the Lowee twins for some reason. I decided to poke the pink one's face, to try to wake them up.
"Uh, kid, what's with the getup, and how did you get in here?"
No response eh? I prep up my loudest alarm clock... My phone ringtone...
Doridori dream power~
"Hngh..." looks like the blue one is waking up...
"Ugh..." so is the pink one...
*vibrate* Hm? Who could that be?
Calling: IdiotDrums
Aw man, did he really have to call at this time?! Sheesh... I went out and accepted the call.
"Yo, Kato, any gigs for us?"
"Sadly no. Not yet."
"Really?! Did you check again?"
"Yeah, I checked again."
"Looks like we're just gonna have jam sessions for a while..."
"Oh yeah, the jam session..."
"Can we use your garage, man? I REALLY have to clean my place up, and Anton said his parents are home..."
"Alright fine... Meet up here, 1 pm, no excuses ok?"
"Okay, Mr. Vocalist!"
*beep*
Seriously, that guy...
"Wh-where's big sis?"
Oh looks like they're awake. I decided to enter.
"Oh looks like you're—GAH!"
The pink one threw something at me. It hit my face pretty good.
"W-who are you?! Where are we?!" the pink one shouted. Eh? Is she thinking that I kidnapped them or something. Oh man. Please no.
"W-where's big sis... *sniff*" Oh no, is she (the blue one) crying?!
"Aahh, p-please don't cry! H-How'd you get here anyway?"
"I don't know! You answer that, dummy!" Wow. The pink one even talks like Ram. Wait... I have my suspicions already...
"Kids... Please tell me this one thing... What's the name of your older sister?" I ask them as serious (and non-threatening) as possible. I clear my throat. Here it comes...
"B-Blanc..." the blue one, well, Rom, answered. Yep. Just like those Neptunia fanfictions you could find in FanFi—Wait, THIS ISN'T A DAMN FANFICTION! THIS IS FRICKING REAL LIFE!
"H-how?! What?! Just..."
"Hm, you okay, Mr. Dummy Kidnapper?" Gahk! Wow!
"What in the... Let me guess, Rom and Ram, right?" I point at the blue one, then the pink one. Their faces can be interpreted as 'how does this guy...' face. Okay, is this some stupid joke? I don't know! Maybe! Maybe not! Am I going nuts?! Of course not, right?! RIGHT?!
"P-please let us go..." Rom pleaded.
"Uh... You guys aren't tied up to begin with... And I'm not a kidnapper... I own this house... And how did you two get here?"
Silence filled the air.
"*sniff* Then, do you know where our big sister is?"
"Ah, sorry Rom, but I'm as clueless as you two... With the whole... You two are in my house... Thing..."
I'm officially confused. Like really.
"Then, if you didn't kidnap us, why are we here, dummy?"
"As I said, Ram, I'm so... Confused..."
"I mean, how... how..." I continued.
*growl*
Hm? Someone's hungry...
"Um... Who was that?"
*growl* *growl*
"Both of you, eh?"
*growl* *growl* *growl*
"Oh, me too... Hey, while we try to solve this little mystery on our hands, why don't I cook breakfast for the two of you?"
The twins slightly nod in agreement... "Well, you're gonna have your first Earth cooking courtesy of the Vocalist..." I said, smiling at them as I went into the kitchen.
