Chapter 12 – Pop Stars & Beating Hearts (Part 1)
"Chizuru~…it's time to…you're already up?!" Sis yelled as she saw me sitting on my bed. All dressed in my uniform and ready to go.
"Yep. I'm not falling for your tricks again, Sis. I've learned this time."
"Aw, damnit. So much for tricking you into believing that I was molesting you."
"The hell kind of trick is that?" Jeb asked from inside Sis's backpack.
"This is Chitose we're talking about. You expect this from her."
"D-Don't label as an actual molester!" Sis yelled.
Then stop faking it.
Today was November 3rd. Culture Day, as it's known. And while other schools were getting their last touches on their Cultural Festival attractions and whatnot, our school was having a simple party. A decision made kinda last-minute by the school board due to the incident nearly 6 months ago. Many people didn't agree with it at first. But when it was revealed that the J-Pop idol known as Lyrica was going to perform there, everyone did a huge 180 about the idea.
One person, in particular, …in a completely different way.
Geez. I still can't believe that Yui is a well-beloved J-Pop idol. Totally not what you expect from a person like her.
Anyway. Cultural Festival or party, we still have to go. Or else we don't graduate. Something as simple as this possibly screwing up your future if you don't show up is completely ridiculous. Even for Japan's standards.
But, whatever. It beats sitting at home all day. Especially since I finished reading Happy Go Lily. Pretty damn good book, to be honest.
Can't believe I'm actually admitting that. But whatever.
"So, you're actually going to the party, Chizuru?" Sis asked me.
"Don't we have to? I don't want my destroyed because of a small party I didn't go to."
"Yeah, true."
"By the way…why are you tagging along?" I asked Jeb.
"I'm going for the free food. It's the time of year where I become a packrat and store a bunch of food for the winter."
"But winter isn't coming. At least, not in this town."
Really wish they would hurry up and figure out this damn weather already…
"I know. But it's a habit. Cold as ice or hot as hell, I gotta do it. The thought of it is implanted in my mind. Like a mouse stereotype."
"There are mouse stereotypes?" We both asked.
"Please. Just like how there are lesbo stereotypes, mice get stereotyped all the time. We're filthy. We live in the sewers. We have diseases. We love pizza so much that we'll drag it through the subway system in order to get it home."
"What?" We questioned the last one.
"Some viral video that was popular for a while. Not relevant."
"Okay…?" Was all we said.
"Anyway…come on, let's go. I wanna get first crack before them other humans do."
"Jeb, the party isn't until the afternoon." Sis said. "We still got morning classes.
"Aw, what? Fine. Then I'll walk. It should be like 10 minutes in by the time I get there."
"You know where the school is?" I asked.
"I'll ask around." Jeb said as he jumped out of the window of our bedroom.
Totally not a normal mouse.
"Well, now. Shall we head off, Chizuru?" Sis asked.
"*sigh* Yeah, I guess. I just want to get this day over with already."
"Ooh~. Someone's excited."
"I just said that I want to get this over with. How does that mean that I'm excited?"
"Don't think I don't know, Chizuru. You've been a lot more sociable as of late. And not just with friends. Fufufufu."
"Wh-What is that supposed to mean?!" I started blushing.
"Oh, I think you know already, Chizuru. *giggle*" Sis then walked out of our room still in a teasing mood. Giggling to herself repeatedly.
"Wh-What, I…Ugh! Damnit, Sis!" I yelled as I chased after her. Already in a bad mood form her teasing me so suddenly.
How the hell does she know…n-never mind.
Once we arrived at school, it was just as lively as if it were a regular Cultural Festival. Everyone is pretty excited for that party later on. And it's pretty obvious why.
"So, today's the big day, huh?" Ayano asked.
"Pretty much." I said. "People won't shut up about it."
"Well, you can understand why, Chizuru. Since we got THAT person performing here." Sis said.
"Oh, yeah. Her. Hey, Yui. What was her name again?"
"Tch. H-Her name is….L-Lyrica." Yui said to me with a pissed off tone. Knowing that I was screwing with her because I know her secret. I've been doing this a lot lately and it's actually pretty fun.
Well…not to Yui.
"You know. You've been acting weird ever since the day we found out that Lyrica was performing here. You sure you're okay?" Ayano asked.
"I'm fine, really. I've just been…busy…recently."
"Busy? Busy with what?"
"Did you get a job?" Sis asked.
"Well…kinda."
"Ooh. Really? Where is it?"
"Th-That's, um…that's a secret."
"Aw, what? Come on, tell us!"
"I-I just said it was a secret, Chitose."
"Just leave it alone, Chitose." Ayano said. "After all…it may be just as embarrassing as you working at a monster girl café."
"W-Wait, what?" Yui asked. "You work at a monster girl café?"
"Yep. Sure do." Sis said proudly. "And it's not embarrassing, Ayano. You just don't understand the undeniable pleasure of serving such sweet little cuties while wearing such kawaii costumes. *giggle*"
…
…
…
"Chitose…never do that again." Ayano said with a creeped out look on her face. Yui and I also had the same reaction.
Damn. She speaks like THAT all day? No wonder she's constantly buying throat medicine.
"Never do what again?" Rukia asked as she and the other three 2nd years walked up towards us.
"Chitose was just showing us how she talks while working at a monster girl café." Yui said.
"Wh-What?"
"Chitose works at a monster girl café?" Tsu asked.
"Oh, yeah." Tsukasa said. "That's where I first met you. You were wearing a fallen angel costume, right?"
"*giggle* Yep. One of the cuties things in the whole world."
"How the hell are fallen angels cute?" Kei asked.
"Well, in my opinion…"
"L-Look, can we just drop this conversation already?" Ayano interrupted. Not wanting to get any deeper into her friend's weird mind.
"*sigh* Fine. One day, you'll understand, Ayano."
"Hopefully, not." Ayano grumbled to herself.
"Anyway…you got this pageant thing taken care of right, Kei?" Yui asked.
"Huh? Oh, yeah. I got it done. Just made the whole thing solid on Thursday."
"Made it…solid?" We didn't get it.
"Kei had to pull some strings in order to make this whole plan work out." Tsukasa said. "One of them being that he ordered a girl's swimsuit."
"You what?" I asked.
"I helped pick it out, though. That part wasn't going to be easy for him to do alone. And even then, it was still hard." Tsukasa then started to blush a little.
"What do you…"
"Ooh! Let me see! I bet it looks cute!" Sis yelled.
"Um…do you really want to see it?" Kei asked with a little nervousness.
"Come on. It can't be THAT bad, right? Tsukasa just said that she picked it out."
"Yeah, but…*sigh* Alright. If you say so." Kei took out his phone and pulled up this swimsuit in question. "H-Here."
The six of us gathered around the phone and instantly understood why both Kei and Tsukasa were rather against showing us. This swimsuit was, to put it in layman's terms, really revealing. As in…you could partially see the breasts and the outline of the crotch of the model wearing it.
"Wh-What the…" Ayano said.
"Th-That swimsuit…i-it's so…b-bold." Yui said.
"R-Really really bold." Tsu added.
"I-I'm normally proud of my body…b-but not even I would go that far." Rukia said.
"Holy shit, that's so hot…" Sis was the only person enjoying the sight. Case in point: her nose was leaking blood like a faucet.
"Well…it looks like Kona-chan was right about the reactions." Tsukasa said with a sweatdrop.
"I never doubted that girl's perverted mind for a second." Kei said with an exasperated look.
"K-Kei…Tsukasa…what the hell is this?! You seriously ordered that?!" I yelled.
"Why do you need a revealing swimsuit…let alone, one at all…to sabotage this pageant?" Tsu asked.
"Because." Kei started explaining. "You can't tell people a bullshit lie and expect them to believe it on the spot. In cases like this, you need proof to back it up. If we're going to cover up this sabotage, then we need to make it look like a very valid reason to have it canceled. Thus, explains the swimsuit."
"I…I think I get it." Ayano said.
"You do?" The rest of us asked.
"Correct me if I'm wrong, but what you're trying to do is make it look like every girl is wearing the same swimsuit…and have that swimsuit not show up in some way or form. Leading the pageant to be canceled, right?"
"Wowie. That was pretty spot on, Ayano." Tsukasa said.
"Yeah, no kidding." Kei said. "Almost like you did some bullshitting of your own."
"I didn't. But Sakurako is like the queen of lying. I had to deal with her constant lies for 2 years when I was in Nanamori's student council. It made me an expert in detecting lies, in some kind of way."
"I see."
"So, uh…Kei. How exactly do you plan to use…that…to get rid of the pageant?" I asked.
"Well…"
*INSERT CLASSIC JAPANESE SCHOOL BELL CHIME HERE*
"…You'll just have to wait until later."
"Aw, what? You're leaving us in suspense?" Sis complained.
"Don't blame me, Chitose. Blame the oddly timed bell."
It was oddly timed, now that I think about it…
"Well, whatever." Rukia said. "At least we won't have to worry about defiling our dignity with a swimsuit pageant."
"Yeah, no kidding." Tsu said. "I can't even imagine myself wearing a swimsuit in front of all those pervy boys. Their eyes looking at me like hound dogs."
"It wouldn't even matter with you, Tsu because there would be nothing to look at."
"Tch!" And that's when the rest of us girls, and even Kei, knew that Rukia just waved her death flag.
"And just what do you mean by THAT, Rukia?"
"Tch! Cr-Crap! U-Um, I….g-guys! Help me out here!"
"H-Hey, look at the time. Better get to class. I gotta make this plan work, and all." Kei said.
"W-Wait for me, Kei. I-I'm still new to this school." Tsukasa said as she followed him out.
"W-We better get going, too." Yui said. "A-Ana gets really pissed if we're late."
"O-Oh, yes. Don't want to piss her off this early. Come on, Chizuru."
"C-Coming, Sis." I said as I followed the two girls.
"H-Hope you'll be okay enough for practice on Monday, Rukia." Ayano said.
"H-Hey! G-Guys! Help me, damnit!" Rukia yelled with the obvious fear in her voice.
"I'm still waiting, Rukia…" Tsu said. And she was beyond pissed at the moment.
"I-I…I…Aw, shit."
Rest in peace, Rukia Yamabuki.
*Attention, students and faculty. Due to some unpredicted and unfortunate events, the 1st annual Shinohara Girls Swimsuit Pageant has been canceled. Today's events will go as planned without it. Sorry for any inconvenience.*
That cunning S.O.B. He actually did it. Maybe now things will go back to normal around here.
…
Well…"normal" for our standards.
That announcement was made a few minutes ago and the responses were what you expect. The boys pissed off that it was canceled and the girls relieved that it was canceled. I personally didn't care either way. I had no interest in seeing anyone in a swimsuit. Especially in the one Kei and Tsukasa used as "proof".
G-Geez. Bondage-styled swimsuits. I can't imagine anyone wearing such a thing. It was bad enough that I saw Himawari in that swimsuit she brought over the weekend.
…
Th-Though, it didn't look…BAD on her. I-It actually looked pretty…c-cute.
…
B-But what I'm saying is…i-if she WERE to wear that other swimsuit, she looks good in it…k-kinda. A-At least I wouldn't mind.
Sh-She'll look cute either way.
…
…
…
*sigh* I don't have to explain that I've fallen in love with Himawari, do I? I mean, I hope that it was extremely obvious to you people. I did a crappy job at hiding it.
I just hope I can find a way to confess soon. This "keeping it inside me" cliché has gone on long enough.
"Hey, Chizuru."
"Oh. Hey, Himawari." I greeted as she walked up to me.
"Can you believe the Kei actually pulled it off?"
"Yeah, it was a shock to me, too. To be honest, I had some doubts that it would work. But then again, this is Kei Otoguro that we're talking about."
"Screwing with people is the only thing he isn't lazy about."
"Oddly so." I said as we both gained a sweatdrop.
"So, you're heading for the party now?"
"Not like I have a choice. But I am going to change out of my uniform, though. At least they gave us that option."
"O-Oh, yeah. I-I was about to do the same thing."
"R-Really now? Th-That's…interesting."
It was at this point that we were both blushing like crazy. The memories of seeing Himawari half-shirtless and vise-versa haven't left my mind. This crush has made me into a sensitive mess and I really don't like it. Just how much longer do I have to put up with this?
"S-So…y-you wanna…g-go now?" I asked.
"Y-Yeah…s-sure. L-Let's go." Himawari answered.
Soon after the sheer hell of "changing in a bathroom stall next to your friend and crush who was also changing", we both came out of the bathroom with a new set of clothes on. I was wearing a simple white t-shirt with grey outlines and some grey jeans. I not that much of a person who cares about fashion.
Himawari, on the other hand…she was WAY different from me. Wearing a rose-patterned sundress and a pair of sandals. She looked so…girly in that. A lot more than me. I look like the stereotypical lesbian that wears men's clothing all the time.
…
AKA, Yui before high school.
Geez, Sachiko was right. She did look like a boy.
"W-Wow, Himawari. Th-That's uh…th-that's a really nice dress."
"R-Really? You think so? I-I've never worn it before. So, I figured now was better than never."
"I-I see." I then shook my head to get this damn feeling out of my system. "A-Anyway. I'm going to meet up with some friends of mine that I invited. You wanna tag along?"
"You invited people? After complaining that you had to come?"
"I know. I'm a total hypocrite. They should be at the front entrance by now."
"Okay, then. Can't wait to meet them."
"I'm sure you'll like them." I said with a small smile.
These friends that I was talking about were Haruka and Takane. From what they told me, Rakuyama was closed today because the A/C system broke and it's currently going through repairs. So it was pretty lucky that they were able to come.
"Wow. So, this is Shinohara…" Haruka said.
"Looks way too elite for someone of my standards. Not sure why you girls decided to come here." Takane said.
"It was closer to Nanamori." I said. "A decision that, nowadays, some of us regret completely."
"You mean Akaza, Toshinio, and Matsumoto-senpai, right? Geez, who would've thought that school had some dark elements to it."
"It was "The Start of Everyone's Problems" as we started calling it." Himawari said.
"I see." Haruka said. "Now, I'm really glad I didn't choose to come here."
"Ditto." Takane added.
I don't really blame them. This place is messed up.
We were at the entrance to the gym (the new gym. Not the one we always go to.) when we saw Yui standing outside. Looking kinda panicked as she leaned onto the wall.
"Yui? What's wrong? Why are you sitting outside?" I asked.
"Ah, Chizuru! Thank God you're here! I-I really need your help!"
"You need my help? For what?"
"U-Um, w-well…i-it's um…I-I need…th-there's this really big crate on the mini-stage and I could use some help moving it. Y-Yeah, that's it."
"Moving a crate? You need my help in moving a crate? Why me, anyway?"
"W-Well, you look like the type of girl that has more brawn than brain."
"The hell is that supposed to mean?" I grew insulted.
"N-Never mind that! Just come on! That crate isn't going to move itself!"
"Huh? W-Wait, damnit! Why do I have to move a freaking crate?!" I yelled as Yui began pulling on my arm and dragging me along. Leaving the other three girls confused as hell.
I swear! This better be a heavy-ass crate!
Himawari's POV
…
…
…
"Well…that was weird." Haruka-senpai said after a few moments of confused silence.
"What was up with her?" Takane-senpai asked.
"I'm…not sure. Yui's been acting weird these past few weeks. Like around the time this whole party was announced and that Lyrica was performing."
"Wait, Lyrica's performing here Well, that explains a lot then."
"Huh? What you mean?"
"Takane!" Haruka-senpai covered Takane-senpai's mouth before she continued on. "Oh, it's nothing. Just some random nonsense. Hehhehheh."
"Um…okay?" I was even more confused at this point. But decided not to question it. "Let's just head inside for now."
"Sure thing, Furutani-san."
"Haruka, your hand smells like Skittles. Did you taste the rainbow or something?"
"Shut up, Takane." Haruka-senpai gained an exasperated sweatdrop.
The three of us went inside the gym and witnessed how decretive it was. I remember Kei saying that his class was doing the decorations. And I gotta say, they did a pretty good job.
"Wow. It looks pretty lively in here." Haruka-senpai said.
"I know, right? The people here did a pretty good job."
"There you are, Himawari. What took you so long?" Chinatsu asked as she and the others walked up to us.
"Oh hey, guys. I was just…with Chizuru's friends here."
"Chizuru's friends?" Ayano asked before taking a good look at the two girls standing next to me. "Oh. Koyama-san and Dezaki-san."
"Long time no see, you two." Chitose said.
"The same to you, Sugiura-san and Ikeda-san." Haruka-senpai said.
"So, everyone did come here, huh? I guess Chizuru was right then." Takane-senpai added.
"Come to think of it, where is Chizuru?" Chitose asked. "It's kinda odd that her friends are here but she isn't."
"Well, she…"
"Hey, guys! Sorry, I'm late!" We heard Akari's voice.
"Finally, you made it, Aka…" Chinatsu then froze in shock and fear as she and the rest of us saw what was on Akari's face. The spot where her left eye used to be…there was this really creepy and well-detailed design. That made it look like that part of her face was cracked and there was nothing but a dim glowing red dot in a void of black. It looked so real that I wanted to puke up my breakfast. It was THAT believable.
"What?" Akari looked at us with a confused look.
"A-A-A-A-Akari! Wh-Wh-Wh-Wh-What the hell is on your face?!" Kyouko asked.
"Oh, this? Iyo-senpai painted it."
"What?!"
"You like?" Iyo-senpai asked as she joined us. "Akari wanted to celebrate Halloween so she asked me if I have any way to help. And I suggested this beauty. Gotta say...this is my best work of horror yet."
"Iyo…your love for horror can be extremely questionable sometimes." Rise-senpai said with a facepalm.
"Akari…please tell me you didn't go around for three days with that…"eye" on your face." Tsukasa said.
…
…
…
"Well…" Akari looked away from Tsukasa.
"Akari…"
"Sorry. But this thing looked way too real for me to not go around and show it off to people. The looks of shock I got from people on the street were pretty damn hilarious. I even sent a picture to Azusa."
"Oh, God. What did she say?"
"She freaked out. Thought it was real. But after I explained to her that it was fake, she sent me a picture of her giving the finger. She was pretty pissed."
"Who wouldn't be, Akari?" Tsukasa gained a sweatdrop.
"A-Anyway…where was Chizuru again?" Ayano asked me.
"Oh, yeah. We ran into Yui along the way and she desperately wanted Chizuru to help her move a crate backstage."
"Huh? Move a crate? Why is she doing that?"
"And why is she backstage? That's only for the Theatre Club helping with the performance, right?" Tsu asked.
"It's all starting to make sense."
"Takane!" Haruka-senpai yelled.
"Huh? What is?" I asked.
"Oh, well…"
*RINGTONE CHIME*
"Huh? Hey, I got a message from Chizuru. She's saying to…meet her backstage?"
"Weird. I just got the same message." Haruka-senpai said.
"So did I." Kei said. "Is that crate really that much trouble to move?"
Something tells me that there's no crate…
"Well, better see what she wants." Haruka-senpai said. "I don't want to miss the Lyrica concert."
"Yeah, me neither." Takane-senpai said. "This is an experience that I don't want to miss. Come on, Oddly-Placed Boy."
"My name's Kei, damnit." Kei said as the trio left the gym to meet up with Chizuru. It left us all confused.
And for me, highly suspicious.
"What crate requires five people to move it?" Rukia asked.
"I'm not entirely sure there even is a crate, Rukia." I said with…I admit, a look of pure jealousy.
*EARLIER…*
"Gah! Geez, Yui! Let go of my arm already!" I yelled as we finally made it to the back of the mini-stage.
"S-Sorry. I'm just really tense right now."
"Yeah, I can tell. What's with you? Why are you so worked up at a time like this?"
"W-Well…you know how I'm Lyrica? And that she's supposed to perform here?"
"Yeah…"
"W-Well…I-I just got word that the musicians that usually perform with me…c-can't really make it."
"What do you mean "can't really make it"?"
"They're sick."
"ALL of them are sick? What were they doing? Sneezing in each other's faces?"
"Yeah…I can't really explain it. Point is, I don't have anyone to play the song I'm singing."
"Okay, that is bad…but why are you telling me this?"
"W-Well, you can play guitar right?"
…
…
…
"N-No way! I'm not doing it! Hell no!" I yelled after putting the whole thing together.
"Pl-Please, Chizuru! I can't get any backups this last minute and you're the only one that I know who can play an instrument! I really need your help!"
"E-Even if you say that, I can't learn a song in such a short amount of time! It's freaking impossible!"
"Oh, come on! We still have anime logic! You can still learn it no matter what happens!"
She has a point there…
"Y-Yui…I understand the problem you're in. B-But I just can't. I'm not really good with facing everyone."
Yui did a huge sigh and sat down on a nearby chair. "You know…I was a lot like you. Scared of doing this whole thing."
"Being Lyrica, right?"
"Yeah. When it was all starting up, I was truly terrified of the idea of performing in front of people. The karaoke was one thing. But doing live concerts in front of hundreds of thousands of fans was way too extreme for someone like me. I was about to take it all back and quit before the first concert was scheduled. But…"
"But…?"
Yui went silent for a bit as she made another sigh.
"You know how love makes you do the craziest things?"
"Oh, yeah. Your love for Sachiko."
"Yeah...that girl. She may be a country mess, but she's the only person who's ever listened to me. Hear out my own problems instead of me hearing complaints every day. She heard me out when I explained how I'm estranged from my parents because I'm gay. And she even helped me become…well…more girly. And with all that plus a whole bunch of other stuff, it's pretty easy to see why I fell in love with her."
"Yeah. I see."
I kinda feel the same way with Himawari…
"So, with this burning passion of love filling up my heart, it's the only thing that distracts my mind from the fear and struggles this career does for me. It may sound corny as hell, but it's working."
"Yeah, clearly. Since you've been a popular J-Pop idol for…wait, how long have you've been doing this?"
"The end of August made it two years."
"Two years? And you've kept it a secret for that long? Gotta admit...that's impressive."
"Yeah, I guess."
"You know, Yui. I say that I don't care that you're Lyrica. But hearing how you became her in the first place is really touching. Kinda unexpected from you."
"I already got Sachiko teasing me about being girly. I don't need it from you, of all people." Yui grew insulted.
"Right. Kinda hypocritical coming from me."
"So, will you do it? I really need help."
"Well…" I went silent for a bit. "*sigh* Fine. I'll do it. But I'll need some help with of my own with this."
"R-Really? L-Like who?" Yui looked worried.
"Don't worry. They'll be a big help." I said as I took out my phone and began texting these people.
*PRESENT TIME*
"And that's the gist of things." I explained a very short detailed summary to Haruka, Takane, and Kei.
"Woah…me performing with Lyrica. This truly is the best day of my life!" Takane cheered. Clearly already on-board with the request.
"So, Yui is Lyrica?" Kei asked. "That's shocking. I didn't think you would do something so girly when you're such a huge tomboy."
"T-Tomboy?! Th-That was your first impression of me?!" Yui asked.
"Well, no. I honestly thought you were a boy who loves to wear girl's clothes and stuff."
"You mean like a trap character?" Haruka asked.
"Tr-Tr-Trap character?! A-A-Am I really that boyish?" Yui had a deadpanned look of total hurt on her face. Struggling to believe that she looked THAT much of a boy for people to think that of her.
And I…kinda see it. Don't tell her I said that.
"So, can you guys help or not?" I asked.
"Chizuru…I can't play an instrument." Kei said.
"Yeah, me neither." Haruka chimed in. "The only person that can is Takane with the drums."
"W-Well, you don't have to." Yui said. "I also need a third person to sing with and then someone to manage the audio. I have the instrumental version with me."
"Instrumental version of what?"
"My newest song. Kimi ga Yume wo Tsuretekita."
"Oh, my God! I LOVE that song!" Takane cheered.
"Me too. It's so high-spirited." Haruka said.
"Gotta admit. It's kinda catchy." Kei added.
"Never heard of it." I said.
"Kinda expected an answer like that from you, Chizuru." Yui said with a sweatdrop.
"Well, if it's just managing the sound, then I guess I could help out." Kei said.
"Singing with Lyrica is a once-in-a-lifetime chance. It would be stupid of me to let it go." Haruka said.
"Well, I'm definitely in! You can count on me, Funami-san!" Takane cheered once more.
"Thanks, guys." Yui then did a small sigh. "But I still need someone to play that keyboard over there. The instrumental doesn't have that part."
"How are we going to find someone who can play the keyboard THIS last-minute?" Haruka asked. And as we were trying to think of someone…
"Hey, guys…what's with the moving bag of chips over there?" Takane asked.
"Moving bag of…okay, I got an idea." I said as I walked over to the moving piece of junk food.
"Man, what a freaking waste! I bet this party had a whole bunch of other food and all I managed to sneak out was a bag of chips. Teenage humans really are a bunch of…"
*GRAB*
"Squeak! Squeak! I'm squeaking here! Squeak! Squeak! Sque…oh, it's just you." Jeb said after I had grabbed the bag of chips he was carrying.
"Quick question. You know how to play a keyboard?"
"A keyboard? Well, I can't physically play it. But I know how it works. Why the random question?"
"Well…"
Himawari's POV
"Ladies and gentlemen, students and staff! The moment you've all been waiting for is finally here! A special live performance from a fan favorite in the J-Pop music genre! Give it up for…Lyrica!"
*CHEERING CROWD*
"Oh, my God! It's time!"
"Lyrica's here!"
"Show me that sexy hot body!"
"The show's about to start. Where are those five?" Ayano asked.
"Should we go look for them?" Tsu asked.
"Nah. I'm sure they'll show up soon. Let's just enjoy the show." Chinatsu said.
"Right there with you, Chinatsu!" Sakurako cheered. "Lyrica in the flesh is too damn important to miss!"
*sigh* She has a point…but I wish I could've watched this with Chizuru. I feel so freaking lonely without her.
The curtain for the mini-stage rose up and there was Lyrica front in center. But there were other people on stage with her. And these people…really caught us off-guard.
"I-Is that…Chizuru?!" Chitose yelled.
"Koyama-san and Dezaki-san, as well!" Ayano yelled.
"Kei's up there, too!" Tsukasa yelled.
"What the hell?! Do they seriously get to sing with Lyrica?!" Sakurako yelled in anger.
"That's so not fair! Chizuru's not even a fan!" Tsu yelled with just as much anger.
"It's still shocking to me that Tsu is a fan of Lyrica." Akari said with a sweatdrop.
"It's just flat out embarrassing at this point." Rukia facepalm.
"Ooh. Now I get tū experience the pop of the j. I am, how you say...rearry tsurnt up, Ari."
"M-Maddie…" Ariana-senpai gained a sweatdrop from her childhood friend attempting to use slang.
"Whatcha doing?" Iyo-senpai asked Rise-senpai as she was holding up her phone.
"I'm recording this for Risa. She's a huge fan and she would LOVE to see this. But she's stuck doing her Cultural Festival."
"I see."
As everyone else was chatting up a storm. Either about Lyrica or the four extra people on stage with her, I was still in shock at what I was seeing. Yeah, Chizuru being on stage with Lyrica hold a guitar is one thing. But what I'm seeing is WAY more important to me than that.
Sh-She's smiling. Sh-She's actually smiling. Chizuru's smiling up there…
…And it's really really cute.
"Hello, Shinohara! Are you excited?!" Lyrica yelled.
*CROWD CHEERS*
"Well, I am too! Thank you so much for having me perform for you guys! You're all such great fans! Now, let's have some fun!"
"YEAH!"
"One…two…one, two, three, four!" Takane started off the song.
Good-bye sadness!
Girl meets, boy meets girl! Soshite I miss you
Good-bye sadness!
Girl meets, boy meets, girl meets super dream
Ikkaime magure de
Nikaimette dou darou
Guuzen ja nai yo ne?
Sankai me ga au no wa
Kawatta hito da to wari to minna iu kedo
Ki ni natta koto wa chigaunda soko ja nai
Kimi wa tabun junsui de junsui wo magezu
Dakara chiisana nichijou ni sae tachimukatte
Yume wo mottekita
Kotoba ja tarinai yume no arika
Kitto konna fuu ni hajimaru
Atarashii tokimeki sekai
Yume wo mottekita
Kotoba wo shiranai furi shite yukou
Tokimeki to yume no arika
Oh! Welcome happiness!
Girl meets, boy meets girl! Yatto I know you
Welcome happiness!
Girl meets, boy meets
Girl needs super freedom
Yonkaime hen da na
Gokaimette waza to da
Kakunin sae muri nara rokkai mitemireba ii?
Wakannai hito da to toozakatcha sabishii yo
Henken wa yamete nakayoshi wo fuyashite
Boku wa izen donkan de hyotto shite boku no
Yowasa to ka de daiji na
Mono ga kieta no ka mo
Iro ga nottekita
Kokoro wo hirogeru iro no kiseki
Yagate masshiroi kimochi de
Tsunagaru kirameki mirai
Iro ga nottekita
Katachi wa fushigi de setsumei dekinai
Kirameki to iro no mirai
Kimi wa sou sa junsui de junsui wo magezu
Dakara chiisana nichijou ni sae tachimukatte
Yume wo mottekita
Kotoba ja tarinai yume no arika
Kitto konna fuu ni hajimaru
Atarashii tokimeki sekai
Iro ga nottekita
Kokoro wo hirogeru iro no kiseki
Yagate masshiroi kimochi de
Tsunagaru kirameki mirai
Yume wo mottekita
Kotoba wo shiranai furi shite yukou
Tokimeki to yume no arika
Good-bye sadness!
Girl meets, boy meets girl! Soshite I miss you
Good-bye sadness!
Girl meets, boy meets, girl meets super dream
*CROWD CHEERS*
"Thank you! You all were super awesome! See you all again soon! Sukida yo!" This was the last thing Lyrica had said before the curtains fell back down. Blocking the view of her and our friends.
"Woah! That was so awesome!" Kyouko cheered. "I didn't even know Chizuru could play the guitar!"
"Dezaki-san's pretty good with the drums, too. I think a certain someone may have a rival now. *giggle*" Chitose said.
"Wowie…Kei's so good with the keyboard. I had no idea." Tsukasa said. Sounding really impressed by her friend's talent.
Which I'm pretty sure is fake…
"*whine* Koyama-senpai's lucky! She got to sing with Lyrica!" Chinatsu whined.
"I know! Total bullcrap!" Sakurako whined along.
"I'll be forever jealous of Koyama-san! So damn lucky!" And then Tsu whined with them both.
*RINGTONE CHIME*
"It's Chizuru. She wants us to meet her at the old gym." I said as I read the message I got on my phone.
"Oh, I am SO going!" Chinatsu yelled as she made her way for the exit. "I've got questions for every last one of them!"
"Us, too!" Sakurako and Tsu yelled as they followed the pink-haired girl.
"There goes your girlfriend, Kyouko." Iyo-senpai said.
"Your childhood friend too, Rukia." Akari added.
"Don't remind us…" The two cousins retorted with exasperated tones.
Author's Note: Part 1 of 2 of the final chapter. It was getting too long and so I had to split it. The rest will be finished soon.
Thanks for reading. Later.
SONG USED: Kimi ga Yume wo Tsuretekita – The Pet Girl of Sakurasou
