Rivalry Has Its Responsibilities

By DrummondType2

"Hey, Minato," Yukina heard the familiar voice call to her.

"Did you want something, Mitake?" she shifts her eyes to look at the younger girl with the red streak in her hair, rather than turn her head. Ran Mitake was actually two centimeters taller than her, but in her stage costume, Yukina's boots made up for that difference, allowing her to meet the other girl at eye level.

"If you're just about done with your setup, Tomoe was talking about getting burgers with Ako, and we were wondering if you'd like to join us."

Yukina thought about turning down the offer. It was already late, and she wanted to be well-rested for the show the next day. However, she already spotted Lisa headed her way, ready to tease her if she even suggested rejecting the offer, and she could see Lisa's partner in crime, Moca, coming over to aid her if it seemed like Ran would try to back out of the offer.

"I suppose we can join you," Yukina said flatly, "I'd find it very difficult to critique my drummer if she were in another venue, after all."

"Really?" Ran's crimson eyes looked at her, studying her, "I thought Ako was really on point tonight. Same as always."

That phrase chaffed at Yukina. She knew, as any who had been present for most Afterglow events did, that it was actually Ran Mitake's usual way of praising her band. That they did their best, "as always". And now, she was applying it to a member of Roselia with the same implication?

"No," Yukina sighed, "I suppose you're right. I was thinking about your new song. It's well suited to this performance."

"Really?" Ran blushed slightly.

"Of course. Since we're doing a show together, you have to be as perfect in your performance as anything I would expect of Roselia."

"Naturally," Ran folded her arms over her chest, crimson eyes meeting gold, "If either of us were to make a mistake, it would tarnish how the audience perceives both bands. Don't worry. Afterglow is on top of our performance. Same as always."

Same as always, Yukina thought. She didn't allow the smile to reach her face. Yes, Mitake, same as always. That's why I can rely on you, as my trusted rival. Because you and your friends always bring your best performance. A champion who competed only against weak opponents would only grow weak, themselves. So stay sharp, Ran Mitake. For the sake of Roselia as much as yourself.

"Hey, you two, stop flirting already and get a move on," Moca pounced on Ran from behind, wrapping her arms around her friend, "Some of us are starving! I think I could have two cheeseburgers!"

Ran flushed at Moca's use of the word "flirting", but Yukina simply sighed.

"How can you stand to eat like that? Aren't you afraid that you'll put on weight?"

Ran knew the rejoinder without even waiting to hear it, "I'll just send the calories over to Hii-chan!"

"Aw! Moca!" Himari protested.

Ran smiled softly to herself, "Same as always."

She glanced over her shoulder, making sure that Yukina was following them. Unlike Afterglow, she knew the members of Roselia would want to change out of their costumes first before leaving the venue. It was a shame, she reflected. It might be nice to see the sort of attention they garnished going to the burger place with Roselia in their elaborate dresses. But, she reflected, Yukina would be mortified at the mere suggestion that her bands costumes be anywhere near where a blot of ketchup or mustard might spill on them.

She takes everything seriously, Ran reflected, that's what makes her a good rival. She understands what it is to be passionate about the music. Though, I wish she'd smile a bit more. I have no doubts that she loves the music. She'd never let her band down, so she'll never let Afterglow down, either. How does that expression go? Iron sharpens iron. Strive for number one, Roselia, and we'll be right there with you. Whether you make it to the top or we do, no one will doubt that it was earned.

Somehow, up reaching the restaurant, Ran found herself squeezed into a booth, window seat, Moca pressed up beside her, Yukina opposite her, and Lisa next to her.

"Seriously, though, Moca," Lisa was saying, "How can you eat like that? Two burgers? And a large fry?"

"Well, Ran really knows how to work off the calories for me," Moca grinned.

"M-Moca!"

"I was just talking about how intently we practiced," Moca feigned innocence, badly.

"By the way, Moca, you said you had a costuming suggestion for the event in two weeks?" Lisa said.

"Oh, yeah. Well, it's International Cat Day, so I thought, why don't we all wear cat ears with our regular stage outfits?"

Both Yukina and Ran nearly choked on their drinks. Ran was glancing sidelong at her friend, "Moca! What are you…?"

"I mean, can you not just imagine how cute Ran would be with a pair of kitty ears? Maybe even extend that red stripe through one of them?"

"We're there to play music, not to celebrate cats," Yukina said out loud, though both Moca and Lisa knew inwardly that she was actually now imagining the very thing Moca had described, and they could see her looking Ran over, trying to picture a pair of cat ears on the head of Afterglow's lead singer. Of course, both Lisa and Moca knew of her fondness for felines, and since she was boxed in at the booth…

"I just happened to bring a pair," Moca said with a grin, fishing them out of her hoodie. Before Ran could protest, Moca had set them atop her head.

It was a testimony to Yukina Minato's iron will and self-control that she didn't pass out from a nosebleed then and there. Ran, in cat ears, protesting, even as Moca was petting her head.

She slammed her hand down on the table, hard, making them all jump, "Mitake! While there's no room on Roselia's costumes to add something like that, Afterglow should definitely wear cat ears at our next live show in two weeks!"

Ran ripped them from her head, "Vetoed."

Why do I feel like I just lost? Yukina sighed.

Just then, Tomoe and Ako showed up at their booth, each of them sporting kitty ears, "Hey, Ran, Ako was just telling me that in two weeks, when we have our next gig, it's International Cat Day and…"

Ran looked at the cat ears on Ako's head, then looked at Yukina and grinned, "Seems like they'd work with your costumes after all. I will if you will."

Yukina held up her hands in protest, "I couldn't possibly…"

She felt something on her head, and looked over, to see Lisa smiling sweetly. There was now a pair of cat ears on her head that Lisa had put there while she was distracted, even managing to clip her butterfly barrette to one of the kitty ears.

She sighed in defeat, "We'll all be wearing cat ears for our International Cat Day event."

And may Ran Mitake never find out just how much I love the idea…