Author Note: This is a project I outlined last year, but didn't start working on until now. Welcome, and I hope you enjoy the journey!
This fic will be a series of self-contained, connected stories.
For the last few months, Lisa felt like she was watching the world pass by in slow motion. Each day felt longer than the last. Studying for entrance exams and applying to universities had absorbed her time, pulling her away from dance and Roselia. Rinko, Sayo, and Yukina had been just as busy, all working towards their own goals.
For the third-year members of the band, Roselia had to be put on hold. They cancelled practices, a solution they all disliked. It was only temporarily, as they prepared for the next phase of their lives, but that didn't make it any more pleasant.
Lisa still practiced on her own to stay sharp, as the others would too. Roselia was still far from the top, and she would need to be the best bassist she could to get them there.
Unfortunately, there hadn't been much time to practice. There were always more practice questions to do, more reading to cram inside her brain, and more paperwork to be done.
Finally, that ended today.
A few hours earlier, when the sun was still high in the sky, Lisa had graduated from Haneoka. Along with Yukina and the rest of her classmates, she'd been granted her diploma. It had felt unreal, even as the ceremony ended. High school was over, and soon the next phase of her life would begin.
After the ceremony, Lisa left the school for the last time and celebrated with her family. It was nice, spending time with them. She'd been too busy over the last few months, missing out on time with her family in addition to the band.
Later, Lisa left the house. She had promised to be somewhere. It was close enough to walk.
As Lisa checked the time on her phone, 7:55 pm, the flow of time finally returned to normal. She scrolled back up the group text, verifying that the others all agreed to the time.
A cool breeze swept by, the brief chill reminding Lisa that it was still early spring. The family restaurant was ahead of her, the same one Roselia often met at. She peered through the windows, but didn't spot any of her bandmates. The restaurant had only a few patrons, which was typical for this time of day.
She must've been first, Lisa thought as she entered the building. She greeted the staff politely before claiming a booth off to the side. It was close enough to the door that she'd be easy to spot.
With her phone face up on the table, Lisa waited for the others. She cast her eyes towards the window, but they were unfocused. She wasn't looking out.
No, instead Lisa was lost in her own thoughts.
As of today, she was no longer a high school student. Now she was a university student, at the University of Tokyo. Her hard work studying had paid off when she was admitted to their general studies program.
This degree would open a lot of doors for her if she succeeded. It had a wide variety of topics to prepare her for the working world. The program was going to be a lot of work, but Lisa was up to the task. If she could handle keeping up with Roselia, she could handle attending university.
The university was close enough to commute by train, though it would take a while to get there each day. That was fine, as long as Lisa could stay near the band. She couldn't imagine living far away from Yukina, not seeing her often.
"Imai-san." Sayo appeared at the side of the table, with her usual curt greeting. She sat down across from Lisa. Now it was 7:57.
"Hey Sayo." Lisa smiled warmly back at her. "How was graduation?" Hanasakigawa had their ceremony on the same day.
The corner of Sayo's lip lifted. "Quite pleasant, Hina gave a wonderful speech."
"I'm glad to hear it." Sayo had plans for after high school as well. Soon she would be starting at Tokyo College of Music, studying electric guitar composition. When Lisa had asked her why composition, Sayo said she wanted to develop her own music. "Did you take a video?"
A minute later, barely enough time for Sayo to send Lisa the recording, Yukina arrived. She sat next to Lisa with just a nod, sliding in to sit close to her.
Yukina would be attending the Tokyo University of Arts, studying vocals. Lisa had been watching her sing for years, following in the path her vocals led. She would fully support Yukina in this as well.
At 8:00, just two minutes later, Ako and Rinko loudly approached. "Congratulations!" Ako called as she practically skipped up and sat down.
Rinko trailed after her with a much quieter, "Good evening," as she took the last spot next to Ako. Rinko planned to attend the same university as Sayo, studying piano. She had confessed hesitation to join the program, but still enrolled in it.
Ako was going to be a second year in high school, still at Haneoka. She had committed to raising her grades and staying on top of her studying even though the rest of the band had graduated.
With all five of them at the table like this, it felt like nothing had changed.
Of course, Lisa knew that wasn't true. Just for a moment though, just for tonight, she indulged herself.
They ordered a plate of fries for the table, the same as usual.
"Next week we will resume regular band practice." Yukina, not one for small talk, went right to the topic at hand. "Lisa, what days do we have reserved?"
"Uh, one second I'll check." Lisa picked her phone up, before swiping it open and tapping on the calendar. "Tuesday and Thursday from 3:00 to 6:00." It was a pretty light schedule, but it was the first week back after graduation and Lisa hadn't wanted to overdo it.
"Can we add one on Saturday?" Sayo asked, a slight frown set on her face.
Lisa nodded. "I'll see what I can do." She jotted down a note to call the studio tomorrow.
"I'm so excited to get back to practicing!" Ako hit her fingers against the table as if mock drumming. "I've been practicing a super cool drumstick toss."
"I-it's very impressive." Rinko added, she must've seen the move already.
Sayo was less easily impressed. "Does it enhance your playing?" She asked, bringing her hands together on the table.
Ako's toothy grin faltered. "It's part of my image!" She countered, undeterred by the criticism.
"I'm interested in seeing it." Lisa cut in, which brought Ako's smile back in full force.
"It will help us reach the top." Yukina, who had been listening calmly, interjected. "That is Roselia's goal." She spoke levelly as usual, with only slight inflections portraying her emotions. Lisa was used to parsing her words, to listening for those hints.
"Exactly!" Ako harumphed at Sayo, having won the debate.
The arrival of the fries changed the topic, switching to talk about the kinds of snacks they would bring to practice next week. Lisa was going to make a whole batch of cookies, to commemorate resuming rehearsal. Sayo offered to help, so they planned to meet up in a couple days.
The group discussed what songs they needed to rehearse. Some of their newer music was still rough, and taking a break like this hadn't made it any easier. Sayo had put together a list ahead of time, which she read aloud to the group.
Lisa jotted the songs down on the calendar, so she would know which songs would be rehearsed when. She needed to practice a lot before then, to make sure she could keep up.
The conversation drifted to university, to the studies each of them was about to embark on. Ako listened to them with stars in her eyes.
Soon, the plate of fries was empty. It was time to go home.
The five walked together at first, headed in the same direction. They then split into their usual groups. Sayo split off to go home alone, then Rinko and Ako turned together.
This left Yukina and Lisa, walking the last stretch side by side.
The sun had long set, leaving the moon rising in the distance. The night was mostly clear, with only a few whisps of clouds. The stars were hard to see form under the streetlamps; only the brightest were visible.
Yukina's hand, dangling by her side as she walked, was only a few inches away.
Lisa wondered what would happen if she took it. If she crossed that wide, gaping space, and intertwined their fingers together. How would Yukina react? With a blush and a smile? Or with rejection?
It was only a few inches, less than half a foot, but it felt impossible. That space was filled with years of friendship, pain, hardship, triumph, and longing. There was no room for Lisa's hand, no room for her feelings.
As much as she wanted to reach over, here at this new starting point, she didn't want things to change.
Lisa glanced up from Yukina's hand, only to find two golden eyes locked on her.
"What's wrong?" Yukina asked, her voice having risen with concern.
Lisa shook her head, forcing her lips up into a smile. "Nothing, just thinking." She spun a story, built on the same lie she'd been telling herself for years. "Maybe we should write a new song, since the band is practicing again."
"That's a good idea." Yukina seemed placated, as she now looked thoughtful.
The two discussed the topic as they walked home, through the dark evening light. There was much to do to prepare for rehearsal, and no time to waste.
The hours and days passed by, at their usual pace.
Despite Lisa's wishes, somehow both slowly and all at once the wheels of change started to turn.