Chapter 3

The first thing I heard even before I opened my eyes was my alarm clock going off. I squinted as the early morning sun began to peek through the shades of my bedroom window, looking at my alarm in confusion.

Why am I awake at 5:00am?

As soon as I came to my senses, I realized that today was the day I was going to go see Ichigo and I instantly hopped out of bed, reaching my arms up high above my head and stretching, letting out a big yawn. I headed to the bathroom to go brush my hair and my teeth.

I tiredly squeezed out a tiny dab of toothpaste onto my purple toothbrush, sticking it in my mouth and brushing my teeth as I closed my eyes. I was so exhausted because I got zero sleep last night from thinking about Ichigo. I paused brushing my teeth and looked at myself in the mirror.

My now short purple hair was a total mess. There were bags under my eyes. My clothes were all wrinkled from tossing and turning all night, yet there was a certain twinkle in my eye that screamed excitement.

I'm definitely going to need to put on concealer. My face is bright red!

I grabbed the red wide-toothed comb laying on the counter and began to brush through my locks with not only the comb but my fingers as well. I pat down my hair nicely with a bit of water and tidied it up with a bit of hairspray, laying the comb back in the same spot as I found it. I reached over the counter and grabbed my concealer, dabbing it on my problem areas and blending it out with my fingers. Afterwards, I began to curl my lashes and put a thick coat of mascara on. Closing my makeup bag, I lastly put on my strawberry-scented deodorant before heading to my wardrobe to pick out clothes to wear. I needed something comfortable and easy to move in so I could train with Ichigo. I picked out a pair of amethyst colored sweatpants and another white t-shirt with a random logo on it and quickly put the two things on.

I headed out of my room and into the front door area to put on my gray tennis shoes, grabbing my leather bag that contained towels, my wallet, my keys, and my phone (which I put in it).

Opening the front door, I swing my bag across my shoulder and head outside of my apartment, digging in my purse quickly for my keys to lock the front door. I head down the staircase of my apartment complex until I reach the bottom, walking down the street for a few blocks until I reach the bus stop sitting near a 7 Eleven. It was rather cold and I forgot to bring a jacket, so I sat there shivering on the bus stop's seat for a good ten minutes until the bus arrived.

I quickly climbed up into the bus, picking up a small ticket from the machine near the bus driver's seat by the door. I navigated to the back of the bus and found a seat, sitting down next to a woman with red hair down to her shoulders. She was singing a lovely tune under her breath.

Tristar, take higher, Tristar, take higher, triangle, star higher...

Immediately the song caught my attention and I looked over to her, questioning who she was. It took a moment, but I figured out who I was sitting next to.

"Kaede?"

Suddenly the women whipped her head over to me, her eyes wide. She was frowning, but soon her frown turned into a ear-to-ear grin.

"Oh my god! Mizuki, is that you?" Kaede squeaked.

"Hello Kaede! It's been such a long time, hasn't it?"

"Yes!What are you doing this early in the morning?"

"I'm heading to Starlight Academy to see Ichigo!" I replied, smiling.

Kaede winked at me.

"Strawberry, huh? Looks like we're heading to the same place!"

I blushed, fiddling with my hair.

"Is that so? Did she invite you too?"

"Yes she did. Did she mention something about a reunion to you, too?"

I frowned a bit. Even though it was childish, I was hoping Ichigo had only called me.

"Yeah. Ichigo and I will be performing togeth-"

"My god! You and Ichigo? This'll be big news!" She shrieked loudly, people at the bus turning to look at her.

She blushed, scratching the back of her head.

Lowering her voice, she said, "so you and Ichigo, huh?"

I blushed again, looking away for a moment.

"Yeah. I'm excited to work with her again."

"I bet you are! The last time you guys performed together was what, four or five years ago?"

"Surely it's been five by now!" I laughed.

She laughed back, smiling and closing her eyes.

"I'll be taking Shion's place in Powa Powa Puririn for the reunion. She's the main actress for this new idol movie coming out - did you hear about that, by the way? She'll be busy that day with recording for the movie."

"Really? I had no clue!" I replied.

Her eyes shot open.

"Really? But Shion is such a popular actress nowadays! How could you not hear about that?"

I laughed, saying, "I guess I've been living under a rock."

"Yes!" She laughed.

The bus began to chime, signaling our stop. Together Kaede and I hopped out of our seats and put yen in the money box by the bus drivers' seat, hopping out onto the front of the campus of Starlight Academy.