Chinatsu: Idol Thoughts

Akarin!

Himawari: Hello! Yuru Yuri: Amusement Club Forever is about to start.

Sakurako: Hooray!

Himawari: Today, we…

Sakurako: …are your hosts for the introduction!

Kyouko (popping in): Oh, you two are finishing each other's sentences now?

Sakurako: Wait, what?!

Himawari: No, we aren't!

Kyouko: Aw, but you did, and it's cute!

Sakurako: No, it isn't!

Himawari: I agree!

Kyouko (laughing): And you're even on the same wavelength.

Yui (grabbing Kyouko's arm): Kyouko, we've talked about this. No more.

Kyouko: But I-

Yui: That's enough. Come on, we're leaving.

Yui drags Kyouko away.

Himawari: Er, where were we?

Sakurako: In Japan?

Himawari: No, I mean with regards to the introduction.

Sakurako: The introduction? I forgot.

Himawari sighs.

Himawari: Of course. Well, let me see…today's chapter will feature Chinatsu.

Sakurako: And also us!

Himawari: So, please look forward to it.

Sakurako: Let's go!

It was late Friday afternoon, and Chinatsu was waiting with Akari at the front gate of Nanamori Middle School. That evening, they would be going to an idol concert with Sakurako and Himawari. Chinatsu was fairly excited; she had never been to such a concert. But one thing did weigh on her mind some still, the same thing that had weighed on her mind off and on recently. She mentioned it to her friend.

"Hey, Akari?"

"Yes?"

"You know, a few months ago, we'd have been doing something like this with Yui-senpai and Kyouko, wouldn't we have?"

"Yes, you're probably right."

"Do you think we should have invited them?"

Akari shrugged. "That would have been nice, but Sakurako only bought four tickets. And it's a sold-out concert too."

"Oh, right." She sighed.

"What's wrong, Chinatsu-chan?"

"We just don't get to see them often. We spend all our time with Himawari and Sakurako. I mean, I like them both, of course, they're wonderful friends, and I'm glad we're closer with them now. I just miss seeing our upperclassmen." Especially Yui-senpai. "You know?"

Akari nodded and patted Chinatsu's hand. "We'll see them over the summer break lots, I'm sure! Don't worry! And with all the work we're doing on the Student Council, Akari's sure this year will fly by, and then we'll be in high school with them!"

"The two of us in high school…"

"Pretty hard to imagine isn't it?"

It was a little difficult for Chinatsu to imagine, but not too much. She had actually thought on it quite a bit in the last few months, what it would be like to attend high school, but more importantly, what it would be like to attend the same high school as Yui-senpai.

Would I be able to go and visit her during breaks and lunches? Do the Cultural Festival activities with her? I hope Akari's right and this year really does fly by. Wait for me, Yui-senpai!

She was being silly again, she knew, but she figured it was fine to allow herself such moments every now and then.

"I wish we had time to go home and change," she said, switching topics. "I didn't think we'd have to wear our school uniforms to the concert."

"At least our school has comfortable uniforms," Akari replied.

"True. I've seen some other schools' uniforms that look awful to have to wear."

Finally, they spotted Himawari and Sakurako exiting the school. The two Presidents waved and joined the Chinatsu and Akari at the gate. Chinatsu noticed that they had both changed to street clothes.

"Hello!" Himawari said.

"Are you guys wearing your uniforms to the concert?" Sakurako asked.

"You said there wouldn't be time to go home and change," Chinatsu pointed out.

"Well, yeah! That's why you brought a change of clothes, right?"

"Uh…"

"Sakurako, did you forget to remind them to do that?" Himawari frowned at her.

"Oh, I guess I did. Whoops, my mistake!" She laughed.

Feeling a bit aggravated, Chinatsu remarked that she and Akari could just go as they were so as to not hold things up.

"Well," Himawari said. "We've got some spare clothing in the Student Council room, if you want to wear something else."

"No, that's okay. I'd rather not go to the concert dressed as a maid." Chinatsu replied in a flat voice.

"We could dress Akari as a maid!" Sakurako suggested.

"No!" Akari didn't look enthused about that idea.

"We've got some clothes that aren't costumes, but if you're going to change, we ought to go now." Himawari said.

Chinatsu honestly didn't care too much, but Akari wanted to change. So, the four girls made their way back into the school building and upstairs the Student Council room. Once there, Himawari dug through a box and pulled out some clothes for them.

"Here, I think these are about your sizes."

Chinatsu changed into the duds Himawari had offered them – a pair of yellow slacks and a t-shirt that read Chunichi Dragons on the front. Akari was dressed similarly, but wearing a shirt with Mirakurun on it. Chinatsu was glad Akari was wearing that and not her.

"Oh, it's cute!" Akari smiled at her shirt.

"We don't really need it," Himawari said. "I'm not sure where it came from, so if you like it, please feel free to keep it."

"Thank you!"

"You too, Chinatsu."

"That's okay, really. Let's just head off so that we aren't late for the concert."

The four girls made their way to the train station. It would be an hour ride to the concert, and Chinatsu knew the trains would be very crowded this time of day. She voiced her concern to Himawari.

"Well, if we stay close, we shouldn't lose each other in the large crowds, right?" Himawari said. "Plus, everyone's got their phone with them in case something does happen."

"We should link hands and form an unbreakable chain!" Sakurako declared.

"That sounds silly and embarrassing."

"No, it isn't!" She grabbed Chinatsu's right hand with one of hers and Himawari's left one with the other. "See? We're set, and now we'll never be separated!"

"You forgot Akari!" The red-haired girl looked a little upset.

"Here, Akari-chan." Chinatsu offered her left hand to Akari, who took hold of it.

"Oh, your hand is cold, Chinatsu-chan!"

"Cold hands, warm heart." Himawari said.

"How nice! And your hand is very warm, Akari-chan." Chinatsu told her.

"So, is it the opposite, then?" Sakurako wondered aloud. "Warm hands, cold heart?"

"Hey!"

"Just joking, Akari-chan! Let's go!"

Despite Himawari's worry that walking this way would be embarrassing, Chinatsu found that nobody paid the four girls any mind. She assumed most of the people on the train were more concerned with their commutes to wherever they were going than with four girls holding hands and walking in a line.

Or maybe that's just a common sight and not very unusual.

"So, we're going to see Reina-chan, right?" Chinatsu asked. "I've heard a few of her songs."

"Lovely Love is a nice one," Akari said. "It's very sweet and romantic!"

"Does she just do love songs?" Himawari asked.

"Of course, Himawari!" Sakurako said. "That's what the people want!"

"You mean that's what you want."

"Right, right."

When they got to the concert arena, the line outside was quite long. The four girls kept together with their hands held. Chinatsu noticed that they weren't the only group doing so. There were so many people, it seemed that nobody wanted to risk losing their friends in the vast concert crowd.

Once they were inside, they took their seats. They weren't quite in the front row, but they were close enough that they'd be able to see everything very clearly. Chinatsu looked up, all around the arena, and noticed some seats that were very high up.

I can't imagine sitting up there. Sure, you could hear the concert, but you'd only be able to see anything on the giant stage screen. Plus it's so high up! That's got to be a bit scary.

"When does Reina-chan sing?" Chinatsu asked looking back down to where they sat.

"There's an opening act first," Himawari explained.

"Opening Act!" declared Sakurako.

"Yes, that's what I just said."

"And that's their name: Opening Act!"

"Seriously?"

"Yes! They're a professional opening act, doing intro shows for idols all over the country! So, their name is Opening Act."

"That's silly, but whatever."

"What kind of group are they?" Chinatsu asked.

"They're a pop-rock-candy group!"

"And what is that?"

"It's good!"

Soon enough, a group of girls took the stage. Chinatsu figured that this was Opening Act. A few of them played instruments, while others danced and sang.

They seem like any other generic girl group, but well, it's music and entertainment until the main event, I guess.

After Opening Act had finished, the girls chatted a bit over the din of the crowd.

"I can't wait to see the show!" Sakurako said. "I bet it'll be flashy with lights and loud bangs and fireworks!"

"I think you mean pyrotechnics, Sakurako." Himawari corrected her.

"Right, pyroworks!"

"I'm thirsty," Chinatsu said. "Do you think the drinks here are expensive?"

"Probably. I can lend you money, if you need." Himawari is always the responsible and prepared one, Chinatsu mused.

"No, I have money. I'll be back soon, then."

"I'll go with you!" Sakurako jumped up.

"Alright. Let's bring back drinks for Akari and Himawari too, then."

"Right!"

Chinatsu chatted with Sakurako as they made their way to the vending machines.

"Thank you again for inviting us."

"Of course! I planned out everything!"

"Huh?"

"I mean, I wanted something fun for everyone on the Student Council. Everyone seemed so stressed out. I didn't like that."

"Well, there's been a lot going on."

"And Himawari, she…"

"She what?"

Sakurako turned a little red. "Ha, I forgot what I was going to say."

"That quickly?"

"No, uh…her boobs have gotten even bigger!"

"I see…"

Chinatsu had no desire to discuss Himawari's breasts and was glad that they had arrived at the vending machines.

"Oh, they have Idol Soda! Let's get four of them!"

"Are you sure Akari and Himawari will want that?"

"Of course! We're at an idol concert, after all."

"That's silly, but whatever."

"It's decided, then!"

So, they bought four Idol Sodas (which contained one-hundred percent natural grape, raspberry, and mango, according to the label) and headed back to where their friends were waiting.

"Idol Soda?" Himawari looked warily at the can.

"It's like the concert!" Akari said happily. She popped the top off of her soda and drank down a few gulps. "Oh, it's very sweet, just like an idol, right?"

"And like you, Akari-chan!" Sakurako added.

"Ehehehe. Thank you, Sakurako."

Himawari smiled, and Chinatsu did too. That was a good compliment, Sakurako. I'll need to remember that so I can say it to Yui-senpai when the opportunity arises. Except, would that fit her? I'll substitute in 'cool' for 'sweet.' Yeah, that works!

Chinatsu took her seat between Akari and Sakurako. She looked up at the darkened stage, but nothing up there had been changed since Opening Act had finished.

"When does Reina-chan's show begin?" she asked. "It looks like they haven't even set up her equipment yet."

"She's supposed to start in in five minutes." Himawari leaned over, with a confused look on her face.

"So, in five minutes, we'll be dancing to Reina-chan's music!" Sakurako exclaimed, dancing a little in her seat.

"I don't think they'll set up that quickly."

"Sure, they will! She just needs a microphone, right? And backup music!"

They waited a longer. Many minutes passed by. Himawari left to go to the bathroom and had time to return. Reina-chan still hadn't taken the stage. The audience was getting restless. Finally, a woman in a grey dress suit walked onto the stage, adjusted the microphone, and addressed the crowd.

"Ladies and gentlemen," she announced. "We apologize profusely, but tonight's concert has been canceled. Reina-chan has contracted tomato flu and is unable to sing."

There were immediate outcries of anger and booing from the audience.

"Please remain seated if you wish to see the opening act, Opening Act, perform again. We will provide a refund for each ticket."

"Oh no!" Chinatsu cried in dismay. "We won't get to see the idol concert after all!"

"Akari's very disappointed!" Akari said.

Sakurako looked a bit distraught.

Of course, she did get this together for us, after all. It's no fun when your plans go awry.

"It's okay, Sakurako," Chinatsu patted her hand. "You didn't know this would happen!"

"Humph. Not happy!"

The four of them decided to not hang around to listen to Opening Act again. They made their way out of the concert arena, their hand-holding formation intact once more.

"Tomato flu? What in the world is that?" Himawari wondered as they exited.

"Is that the kissing disease?" Sakurako asked. She still seemed a bit down, so Chinatsu figured this wasn't meant to be a joke.

"No, I don't think it's that."

"So, what do we do now?"

"I guess we head home," Chinatsu shrugged.

"No! Let's go and do something! We don't need a silly idol to have fun!" Sakurako pouted.

"What do you want to do?" Akari asked.

Himawari pointed to a shop across the way from the concert arena. "There's an ice cream shop. Why don't we go there? It's gotten warm lately, so it'll be nice to have some ice cream."

Sakurako's mood immediately brightened. "Good idea, Himawari!"

The four girls made their way into the ice cream parlor. Once they had ordered, they discussed their disappointment with the concert, but even that was forgotten, and they happily chatted about other matters.

"So, what's everyone going to do for summer break?" Chinatsu asked.

"I don't know," Himawari answered. "I think my family might end up just staying in town."

"Mine too." Sakurako said.

"Akari's also."

"Well," Chinatsu said. "Then we'll be able to do something together, the four of us, right?" She smiled.

"I hope so!" Himawari smiled back at her. "We could do our summer homework together."

"Boo." Sakurako frowned.

"That's a good impression of Kyouko-senpai," Chinatsu remarked.

"Thank you!"

"I'm not sure that was a compliment."

"And that was a good impression of Yui-senpai!" Akari laughed.

Those words brought Chinatsu's absent upperclassmen back to the forefront of her mind.

I'll get to see them, no worries. And I know Yui-senpai hasn't forgotten about me. She and I can still…well, in the meantime, I have three wonderful friends here with me now.

Smiling, she dug into her ice cream.