Subaru スバル
For the next week, Sora devoted herself to studying, to a point where Subaru wondered if she was actually the same person. Everyday she had a different feeling about her; instead of carefree and playful, her behaviour was far more controlled and focused. At lunchtime she quickly bought herself some bread, before heading back into the practice rooms for a little extra work. He always tried to join her - mostly to make sure she was taking care of herself, which she almost certainly wasn't doing - but she had firmly stated that she wanted her practices to be undisturbed.
"I have to do my best now that I'm here, Subaru," she'd told him through the door. That hadn't stopped him from listening in on her sessions however, and it soon became clear that someone was in those rooms with her. That was also when he began to notice the frequent absences of Syo at lunch.
It wasn't that he was worried about the two of them spending time together, although the idea that his twin specifically wanted to practise with someone that wasn't him did make him a little hurt. Rather it was his sister's health, that he was positive she wasn't moderating as she worked herself into the ground.
For all her talk of being strong and staying absolute, she couldn't very well do that when her body could no longer garner the strength to keep her upright. What could have caused her to suddenly act this way?
He was at his usual lunch table with Shinomiya, Otoya and Hijirikawa-san, with whom he'd begun to practice with after classes in preparation for the Idol Course's Dance Exam. While Subaru still wasn't in the Idol Course himself after refusing Shining Saotome, he'd come across their practice and noticed Otoya was having difficulty with a few basic steps - steps that Subaru had offered to help him with. For the past week he had learned that he had an aptitude for dancing and finding the rhythm, and that he thoroughly enjoyed the adrenaline coursing through his veins after finishing.
The conversation was mostly held by Otoya and Shinomiya, who were by far the most social and enthusiastic of their group. Meanwhile, Hijirikawa-san and himself were engaged in a quiet talk of their own about composing, as the dark-haired boy also had experience with writing songs and was a skilled pianist.
While Subaru appreciated having someone to bounce ideas off, he couldn't help but miss Sora's loud interjections and childish excitement when he mentioned something new. Everything felt off-balance without her around.
"I haven't seen Sora-chan in a while." Otoya said off-handedly, turning his gaze towards Subaru.
Shinomiya jumped in too. "She and Syo-chan are always practising together now." His voice was missing its usual vigour.
"I suppose the exam is coming up." Subaru said, resting his chopsticks on top of an empty bowl.
The other three exchanged looks.
"What?" He searched their faces, each marked with worry in his own way, "Did something happen?"
Hijirikawa-san was the first to speak after the long silence. "I've been helping Nanami-san practise more too."
Subaru blinked, "Why? Is something happening in A Class?"
Otoya lowered his head. "Some stuff happened… in class… and Nanami-chan… and Sora-chan…"
"Just tell me!" Subaru demanded.
"Our classmates have been spreading rumours about the two of them," Hijirikawa-san told him. "At first it was just Nanami-san that they picked on, but then Shimono-san stepped in and they started on her as well."
Like that day that she'd come to the table with a sore hand and admitted that it was her own fault. The same day that she'd promised to tell her friends if it happened again - no, she'd eluded that by talking about Prince of Fighting.
Subaru ran his hands through his silver-blonde hair tiredly. "Nee-san, what are you doing?"
He switched his attention back to his friends. "If it's just rumours then why is she working so hard?"
"Sora-chan got stage fright in class the other day," Shinomiya said sadly. "She was asked to sing while Haru-chan played, but she froze up and then ran out."
"I found her though!" He added, quickly. "And then we did some baking!"
Subaru could have sworn he saw Otoya shudder.
"Shimono-san and Nanami-san have been asked to perform in class this Friday," Hijirikawa-san said. "So they've been practising for the last week to regain their confidence."
"I hope they do okay," Otoya said.
Subaru said nothing else.
Sora was being bullied and I never even noticed, he sucked in a breath. He was suspicious that Nanami-san was getting a hard time due to the sniggers that she had received after the quiet girl had approached him the library last week to ask about reading sheet music, but he'd never thought that someone would actually bully his enthusiastic, puppy-like sister. Sora was nice to everyone.
Now she was skipping meals just to fit in extra practices because her peers were mostly likely jealous of her recent recording test score.
Part of him wanted to report this, but Otoya had already confessed that he'd tried to tell Ringo-sensei without much luck. It seemed all he could do was wait, and hope that Sora could get past whatever barrier was in her way. It was Thursday today, which meant that she'd be performing with Nanami-san tomorrow. That was something he could support her with at least. He was going to protect his sister's dream at all costs. If Friday didn't go well however, then nobody could stop him from interfering.
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Sora 天
"We are ABSOLUTE!" Sora finished. She reached for her bottle of water, gulping the cold liquid down greedily, before looking to Syo-kun with eager eyes. "I did it!"
This had been her only attempt of many during their practice regime where she had managed to sing an entire song while giving off her idol aura - bubbly, mischievous, and eager to please. It seemed like so long ago that she had run from the classroom because of stage fright. The extra sessions had been hard going and it hadn't been easy to get past the mental barriers that she'd put up. Bit by bit, Syo-kun had helped her break them down and build up her confidence again.
She felt better than ever, and it was all thanks to him.
He was grinning, "That was really awesome, Sora-chan! You even managed to use our dance routine for the exam."
"Do you think I'll be able to do it tomorrow?" Her voice wavered from exhaustion, both mental and physical. The practices had strengthened her legs considerably, but right now they were about to buckle.
He walked towards her and placed his arms on her shoulders with complete confidence. "You'll do it easy." Syo-kun said, taking a moment to smile reassuringly at her while removing his hat and placing it on her messy, silver head. Her hair was loose and stuck to her neck with sweat, making her wish desperately that she'd put it up before she'd started. The gesture made her blush all the same.
Syo-kun noticed and immediately stammered out, "I-I just m-meant for you to w-wear it has a good l-luck charm tomorrow."
"Really?!" Her embarrassment faded, replaced by her gratitude. "Are... you sure? Isn't this hat like your secret weapon?" Then she wondered about the dance test that she had coming up, "You've been helping me for a week - but don't you have other class work too?"
He laughed and gently flicked her forehead. "It's okay," Syo-kun jumped back and landed in the Prince of Fighting's signature pose. "My hat isn't my only source of strength! I've been working on a lyric writing assignment for class , but the real battle to finish it will begin now that the hero has lost his hat!
Sora snorted but mirrored him and soon they began their mock fight, either side resisting the urge to burst into uncontrollable laughter from their antics.
The bell signaled the end of lunch, and they bowed to each other playfully. She was so grateful for the time and effort he'd put into helping her get past her silly insecurities. He'd been very thorough, giving her new breathing techniques to help quench bad anxiety, helping her warm up her vocal cords more effectively, and giving advice about how to cope with her weaker body when it came to dancing. She'd learned something new everyday, and she knew that she was a much better idol because of it.
As was Sora tradition, she sprung a surprise hug on him, laughing good-naturedly as he stammered out his protests.
"O-Oi, what's that for?" The blonde boy blushed scarlet after she'd pulled away and flashed him another cheerful smile.
"For being the bestest friend I've ever had!"
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Subaru スバル
On Friday morning Subaru sat at his desk in S Class, tapping the wood with anxious fingers. Hijirikawa-san had said that Sora would be singing in class today. Beside him, a hatless Syo was humming, hands behind his head, eyes closed and leaning back against his chair in usual careless but cool fashion. When Subaru had asked him how things had gone with Sora, the other boy had given him nothing but confident reassurances.
The classroom door was open, and he heard Ringo-sensei greet his class next door, before asking his sister and Nanami-san (or 'Haru-chan') to continue where they'd left off the week previously.
He hadn't realized he'd stood up and brushed past Hyūga-sensei on the way out until he realized that he was peeking his head through the doorway of A Class.
A satisfied grunt beside him confirmed that Syo had followed him, and when he found his sister standing next to the grand piano with a certain person's hat on her head, he understood Syo's reaction.
"It's for luck," the other boy shrugged, when Subaru raised an eyebrow.
Together they watched as Sora nervously surveyed her classmates who were staring expectantly at her. Already, a few of them had begun to whisper and snigger amongst themselves, and in the corner of his eye, Subaru could see Syo's jaw tighten.
When her gaze found their heads peeking through the doorway, the tension in her shoulders melted away and she offered them both a grateful smile. She counted herself in by tapping her shoe, and began to sing the first few unaccompanied bars.
Once Nanami-san began to play, appearing nervous yet more confident in herself, the two S Class visitors let out a sigh of relief.
"Her voice is stronger," Subaru noted. "And she looks more comfortable."
Syo hummed his approval, "She's really good now, right?"
"Yeah," he whispered back, fondly taking in the scene of his big sister. She and Nanami-san were nailing the performance. Sora had begun to dance, naturally moving with the music. She looked so at ease that he wondered if she even realised she was doing it. The classmates that had sniggered at her before, now had their mouths open in shock as she continued to sing.
When they'd finally finished, Sora squealed triumphantly and hugged her co-performer wearing a relieved smile, all while the entire class burst into applause.
Subaru recognised the cheers of Natsuki and Otoya straight away, and even Hijirikawa-san was smiling. He joined in with the applause with Syo, clapping for the pair of them. By what Hijirikawa-san had said, Nanami-san was also getting a hard time.
"That was wonderful, Sora-chan! Haru-chan!" Ringo-sensei enthused. "You've both improved!"
Behind the piano, Nanami-san was glowing.
"Arigatou gozaimasu, Sora-chan!" She babbled. Sora laughed and gave her accompanist another hug, "We both did awesome!"
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Sora waved her brother over to where she was sitting with their friends. Nanami-san was also with them, accompanied with Tomochika-san.
"Nii-chan!" She seemingly couldn't wait any longer and got up to meet him, pulling him over to sit next to her. Across from her, next to Nanami-san, was Syo. Subaru couldn't help but notice the grateful glances that his sister kept shooting at the other boy.
"Where's Shinomiya?" Subaru asked.
"He went with Otoya to get everyone something to drink," Syo said. "They wanted to help celebrate."
"Oh right," Sora said, taking the hat that she was wearing off her hair, "Here, Syo-kun. Thanks for letting me wear it!"
He laughed, "It was nothing."
Hijirikawa-san had also joined them, sitting on Subaru's other side. As a quiet type, he and Subaru were well and truly outnumbered this time. Which reminded him…
Subaru looked at Sora, "Nee-chan, this is Hijirikawa-san."
Her face brightened when she saw the quiet young man, "Hijirikawa-san! I remember you from my first day - thank you for helping me that one time!"
Subaru didn't do a very good job at hiding his confusement. She laughed, "I would have fallen on my face if he hadn't caught me when he did."
The other boy shook his head, "Iie, it was nothing."
"Still, we haven't spoken since then, so arigatou! Nanami-chan told me how you helped her prepare for the performance. I'd like to sing with you one day too!" Subaru's eyes widened when he heard that.
"What's that face for Nii-chan?" She asked teasingly."I just really like singing, that's all. I want to sing with everyone - you, Syo-kun, Hijirikawa-san, Natsuki, Otoya. Then maybe one day I'll even be able to sing with HAYA- oh sorry!"
"Sora!" Subaru shook his head in disbelief as her wild gestures caused her to strike someone who was walking behind her. He cringed and turned to see who she'd had the misfortune to accidentally assault.
Her eyes widened when she saw who it was.
Subaru recognised him as the man who looked eerily like HAYATO, the same young man who'd gone to the recording booth to see Sora and Syo perform together last week. He'd learned during his week in S Class that this man was called Ichinose Tokiya. Ichinose-san set his expressionless gaze on Sora and she was rendered speechless. Subaru didn't blame her. Up close, it was easy to see that she was starstruck.
"Be more careful," was all Ichinose-san said, moving on without another glance.
"Hai," she breathed.
Moments later, her eyes were still in wonderland. Otoya and Shinomiya came back with an armful of drinks and began handing them all out. When Shinomiya offered one to Sora, she didn't seem to see him at all.
Subaru nudged her with his elbow, "Oi, Nee-san."
She blinked and then realised her mistake, "Gomen."
Shinomiya laughed. "You must be tired after that performance, Sora-chan! It was wonderful!"
"Especially the dancing!" Otoya added, with a cheeky grin.
"What?" Her cheeks flamed, "Oh I didn't…"
Subaru laughed and ruffled her hair, "I knew you hadn't realised. You were really into it as well."
She blushed harder and said nothing.
"It looked wonderful, Sora-chan!" Nanami-san enthused. "You were amazing - like a real idol!"
"Thank you Nanami - Haru-chan? Can I call you that?" The shy composer nodded, "Of course!"
"That reminds me," Otoya said. "I wanted to ask how your dance routine was going, Sora-chan. You've been practicing all week so I never got to ask and the test is next Monday."
"Dance… routine?"
"For the exam on Monday." Otoya confirmed.
She clearly wasn't on the same page, "Dance routine? Exam? For what?"
Subaru and Hijirikawa-san both sighed.
"For the Idol Course Dance Exam of course, silly!" Her brother told her, reverting back to mother hen mode. "You've been given advice and coaching for it in class for the past week! You must've known."
"Gomen ne!" She smiled apologetically. "In class I was pretty tired because I spent most nights practising."
"You were up singing that late?" He shook his head with disapproval, "Sora!"
"It wasn't just singing!" She argued. "I was dancing too! I have to get my body in shape if I want to be an idol and because I don't have a roommate, I have a lot of room to practise. I was super nervous about today! I wanted to do my best..." She lowered her head, pouting a little.
"Ja, maybe you can join in with our practices then?" Otoya offered. "Subaru could teach you the steps and you could be in our group!"
"No." Hijirikawa-san interjected. "There's not enough time for her to be sufficiently prepared."
Otoya pulled a face, "Please?"
"But she can just practice with us, right?" Shinomiya said cheerfully. "Then she'd at least be able to prepare by herself."
Hijirikawa-san went quiet, "Very well."
"Thank you Hijirikawa-san~!" Sora sang happily. "I really have the greatest friends!"
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After school, Subaru and Sora went for a walk by the lake. She skipped beside him, humming 'We Are Absolute' caught up in her own little world. It seemed nostalgic to the walk they'd taken to Saotome Academy, before she'd gone and gotten herself lost.
"You seem happy," he commented as she twirled about again with a giggle escaping her lips.
Sora beamed at him. "I really am! I feel like I can do anything when I perform! I've never felt stronger!"
They reached the lake and they walked onto the dock, watching the perfectly still water.
"I can't wait to debut," she whispered to him, sliding her hand to his blazer sleeve like she would do when she was a child. "I want to be able to sing all the time - everyday!"
She met his eyes. "I didn't think it was possible to love doing something so much that I feel as though I'm going to burst, although…" she added, "It would be even better if I could sing with you again."
He sighed, "I know."
She turned to face him, "Then maybe we can work at it? We could practise everyday until you're comfortable again and then-"
"I don't think that'll work." He told her flatly.
"But it did for me!"
"I'm not like you, Sora. I need more time."
Subaru felt the guilt wash over him as she processed his words and the hurt was clear on her face. He could have phrased that first sentence better. He knew that her twin was the most important thing to her, more than dreams or anything else. She'd made sure he knew just how much he meant to her again and again.
"I'm sorry, Sora," he said quietly. "I just don't think I can do it yet."
She gripped his hand in hers and squeezed it reassuringly. The moment of hurt had been wiped off her face as though it had never happened. Instead her eyes were serious.
"I'm not giving up on you, Subaru," she told him solemnly. "So neither should you."
His heart sped up. How did she know?
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