Two Idols

[ACMItM: Daily Life - Movie Version]

Index insisted that they all go and eat somewhere together after that to celebrate Arisa's audition. Looking at the table full of food, Joule wondered if Index had eaten at all recently. The group was split across two tables. Touma, Index, Arisa and Misaka were at one while Saten, Kuroko, Uiharu and Joule herself were at the other table. Joule noticed a blush on Misaka's cheeks as she sat next to Touma and Kuroko was looking annoyed to not be.

Index was scoffing down food quickly and it was up to the rest of the people at their table to take what they could. On the other side however they had only bought a plate of sandwiches each.

"Arisa, what was the audition for?" Joule asked when there was a moment of peace as more food was ordered at Arisa's table.

"Ah, it's for Endymion's opening. They chose my song for their campaign."

With a mouth full of food Index spoke up "Hey, I know what that is! It's an elevator that goes into space. Arisa, are you going to space too?"

"I'm still not sure about that actually." Arisa admitted "It does sound like there is going to be an opening ceremony though."

Saten gave her a smile "So you're going to be singing for the sake of the world then?"

Arisa blushed and whispered "I guess so."

Touma eyed the gathering receipts at his table as the discussion continued. Eventually he must have decided that enough was enough and had to actively prevent Index from ordering any more food. A minute or two passed while everyone finished the last of their food before Index let out a sigh.

"Your dream is really coming true, you must be so happy." Index looked up at Arisa who nodded.

"It may sound strange but I've always had good luck like that. I know this only happened because I'm a really lucky girl"

At the mention of luck, Touma looked over "Come on, give yourself some credit."

Arisa looked over in surprise but Misaka nodded in agreement.

"You put your heart into it, that effort is being rewarded."

"If you didn't put the effort in, the chance wouldn't have come. Relying on luck alone can't get you something like that." Saten added cheerfully.

"I guess." Arisa smiled down at the ground and answered clearly.

Saten grinned "That said, who wants to go do some karaoke?"

6 for, 2 against. A moment later Kuroko changed her choice, leaving Touma the only one against. He shrugged before following them anyway. After some metaphorical prodding he agreed to help carry Arisa's equipment.

At the Karaoke bar he just waited outside as the seven of them headed in.

They got a room for the seven of them and they all sat around and picked songs.

They all took turns until Joule came up.

Index had gotten snacks here two but no one knew how she planned to pay for them seeing as she admitted she didn't have money on her. Mid eat, Index looked over at Joule and Arisa but didn't say anything.

Joule took a breath and stood up, taking the mic from Saten who had just finished.

[ASG: Scorching Journey]

It was a song that sounded warm and sung along. As she did the others started to clap in time.

At the edge of her hearing she could hear Lumen joining in on the song. Joule didn't mind, it would have been rude to leave her out of a song.

Her powers grew as she sang, the song allowing her to reach out and touch everyone else. Joule didn't do it actively of course, it was just something that happened.

"Singing for fun. It's been a while hasn't it?"

Lumens mental voice was quiet but Joule nodded as she sang.

Eventually the song came to an end and Joule passed the mic to Arisa. She had actually picked one of her own songs and everyone prepared to enjoy. Joule sat down to listen with a sigh. Index grinned at her.

"You are good. Why don't you try to be a professional idol?"

Joule thought for a moment as Arisa got ready and answered softly just as Arisa began.

"It's a hobby for me. I want to sing for friends, not for crowds."

[ACMItM: FIXED STAR]

The song was good, it was one of the ones that Saten had shown Joule. Though it was Joule's first time hearing it she could feel the emotions that Arisa put into it. If the Karaoke machine gave her less than Joule had got it would be blatantly wrong.

As she sung, Arisa moved her fingers slightly. Joule noticed and kept track before realising that she was mentally playing along with the song. Her practice showed even as she sung.

At the end, Arisa sat down with a soft sigh. She didn't look as tired as Joule had when she had sat down.

The team rotated around once again but when it got back to Joule, Index made a request.

"Arisa, you said you two hadn't peformed together before. As this is the last loop can you two try a duo song?"

Arisa glanced at Joule before nodding.

"Okay, but only if Joule wants to as well."

"I don't mind." Joule admitted.

They got out the second mic and both stood up. Joule picked the song and they both got ready.

[ASG: Stratosphere, duet remix]

The harmony between them as they sang was quite the effect. The song was mostly sung the same way but each of their parts occasionally broke off to quickly add in a bit while the other was holding a note.

Claps and cheers came from their friends as they continued.

"Interesting?" Lumen commented during a break in the song.

"What?" Joule sent a quick message across.

"I'm not sure but something is going on with the waves in this room, I can't quite put it in words."

The song started back up with some more singing and Joule became distracted by that.

At the end the two gave a bow and a sigh.

Cheers went up from the friend group again to congratulate and Index let out with a woop.

"You two are amazing!"

Joule blushed

[ACMItM: ...I want to sing]

As they left the karaoke and went to the desk to finish paying for Index's food, they were met with a surprise.

"You're VIPs, I can't charge you."

The fact that Arisa was there had apparently made a fan of hers give them all a discount on everything. The friends walked out into the darkening sky and met up with Touma.

"Today was amazing." Arisa admitted after sitting down on a bench "I can't remember the last time I had so much fun."

She turned to smile at everyone "Thanks a lot, it was really nice hanging out with all of you today."

Touma sighed as he put down Arisa's equipment.

"I must say," Touma began after panting slightly "as a Level 0 myself, it is extra inspiring when I see someone's dream come true."

Arisa blushed but Index chipped in "He's not alone though, I love seeing someone work so hard for their future. It really motivates me."

Saten nodded "I get that feeling but it depends more on your outlook."

Touma nodded "Seeing your noble goal achieved is great. Not everyone can do that."

"Yes!" Index let out a call and then thought for a second "Hey, are you saying I don't have a noble goal?"

She began to get more annoyed and as she berated Touma, Arisa stood up from her bench. The two began to argue but Arisa took a few steps to the middle of the path and began to hum and then to sing softly. It was nothing fancy, just a sung melody.

She began to walk and the group was going to follow her but Kuroko checked her watch.

"Sis, we need to head back. Curfew is soon."

Touma looked back to check on them.

"Index and I will keep an eye on her if you need to go?"

Kuroko nodded as she led Misaka off.

"Hey Kuroko?"

When she didn't get a response, Misaka let a small charge jump and the slight sting made Kuroko let go. They still headed off.

"Technically we don't have a curfew. We could stick around." Saten pointed out but Uiharu shook her head.

"It is getting quite dark, do you really want to be out after dark?"

Joule nodded sadly, she knew GV would want her to come home quickly so she wouldn't be in danger.

"We haven't said goodbye yet." Joule pointed out "We could follow her to the end of her song, say our goodbyes and then head home."

"Yes!" Saten agreed.

Uiharu just sighed.

End of chapter.

Originally I had Joule, Saten and Uiharu head home as well but honestly. I want them to be involved in the story in some way.