It was a bright and early Saturday morning, complete with blue birds chirping. Ia's muddy eyes shot open without an alarm clock. She was engulfed in guilt regarding the fight One and her got into, and because of that, she barely got a wink of sleep. It was almost a miracle she didn't have school that day, or else she would have had major trouble paying attention.

Before she even had the chance to slide her comforter to the side, an idea struck her. Ia could stop by a bakery, buy them some nice treats for breakfast, and have it all set up and warm before her little sister woke up as an apology (or a peace offering, at least). Should she buy something savory, like croissants? Something sweet, like doughnuts? Both were pretty bad for you, but it would be alright just for today, since it was a special occasion. Er, un-special was more accurate. It felt like the bare minimum, but it was the least the big sister could do to make it up to One. And quite frankly, it was the only thing she could think of that didn't make Ia look like a push-over.

She sat up, brushed her teeth, took a shower, threw on some clothes. She had made up her mind, an unhealthy bakery selling unhealthy food, here she comes!

—-

Ia stepped off the squeaky train, beginning to make her way towards the same shopping district she visited yesterday. If she remembered correctly, her destination was right next to a shop selling plush toys... maybe she should pick one of those up, too.

She pulled open the door, getting pleasantly assaulted with wonderful, delicious aromas. Normally she would pass on eating something from a junk food haven like this, but it still remained an un-special occasion, so she could splurge.

She got in line, and stared at all the yummy, mouth watering options though the glass case as she waited. She worried she would not be able to pick between savory and sweet before it was her turn - and she predicted it. She was mildly unprepared as she found herself eye to eye with an employee and a counter separating them. After fumbling a bit, she ended up getting two croissants, two doughnuts, and one chocolate flavored... thing that she knew One would enjoy. Chocolate has always been One's favorite.

Stepping out of the store, clutching the bag of goodies, she realized her sister would be waking up soon. Ia hoped to get back before that, but wasn't too worried. She would be home in no time, all she had left to do was get on the train, after all.

Singing.

The raspy voice rang through the entirety of the district, inserting itself in Ia's ears, making its song quite comfortable. A street performer? Most likely, that was the answer. It wasn't uncommon to see, but something about this particular voice was nostalgic; like she had heard it before. She intently listened closer, as her eardrums recognized a guitar backing the stranger's vocals being strummed - no, hit seemed more appropriate. It was pretty harsh, and the lyrics, while nothing bad enough to alert police or bystanders, followed an edgy tone.

"I have to get back to One, I can't get sidetracked."

And while those words kept repeating in the light blonde's head, she couldn't fight it. She had to find the person whose voice that belonged to. Something told her subconsciously she needed to.

It didn't take long for their big eyes and budding hearts to meet. The singer was standing on the other side of the road, so close, yet so far. Shining violet orbs stared vacantly as Ia approached. Lavender hair fell delicately down her chest.

It was her.

Everything slowly pieced itself together. There was a name to the face.

Yuzuki Yukari.

The young woman who terrorized her and other civilians on the train. The young woman who terrorized her own sister... her only friend, her most cherished treasure she was destined to protect. She was in Ia's immediate sight - her grasp. If Yuzuki Yukari had tainted and corrupted such an innocent, sweet girl... what else would she be capable of? What evil spells would she curse on bystanders? What deadly, manipulative lies would she continue filling One's head with? What would happen to the world as Ia knew it if she didn't intercept?

The lavender girl remained singing without missing a beat, small beads of sweat rolling down her forehead as she performed. She tried not to give into Ia's malicious stare, but something about it caught Yukari's attention, Ia could tell. She was staring back; it was undeniable, and this passionate battle of irises had just begun. Her rocker persona was cracking fast under the intimidation, and it was only a matter of minutes (or 10) before Ia gathered the courage to confront her. Or, at least, that was what she hoped.

Suddenly, the song was over. There was silence, the timid girl could hear her own thoughts more clearly. The world was in slow motion as Ia put her frail hand over her heart, soon clutching the simple fabric that covered it. Speak now, or forever hold your peace! "I-"

"You've been watching me for a pretty long time now, got a crush on me or something?" Yukari laughed teasingly, shaking her bangs as she snatched her water bottle and took a swig. Sweat dripped from her athletic and fit body as she gave a flirty, dashing wink. Her special skill was a total lady killer, Yukari liked to think.

Ia was dumbfounded, her mouth agape in shock - what kind of person would say something like that? How was she supposed to reply? And more importantly, what happened to that intimidated, weary lavender girl she just saw? Surely Ia couldn't have imagined that, right? Right? "I- what- um, no! What would make you think th-that?" she stuttered, immensely flustered.

"Well, you were staring at me, and you have your hand over your heart like you were about to confess your love, so..." she explained her reasoning as if it were obvious, a handsome and confident charm emanating from her as she did so. Ia's hand practically rejected itself from her body upon hearing Yukari's words, as it flung itself as far away from her heart as it could. "I was mostly just teasing you, though," the purplette chuckled, amused by her ability to make Ia so bashful so quickly. "What's your name? Did you hear some of my songs online and decide to see me for yourself? I've never seen you around before."

She had never seen Ia around before? She didn't remember all the times their paths crossed on the train? A person would have to be seriously oblivious to forget something like that! It was an odd thing to feel offended by, but after all the hours she spent thinking about Yukari, deep down she hoped she did the same. She cleared her voice, "I'm One's sister!" she proclaimed.

"Oh, that young kiddo! She's pretty cool. I'm surprised she didn't tag along with you, she's been making an effort to see me like, everyday." EVERYDAY? And Ia didn't know about it? What a failure she was... "But no worries, I'm happy I get to meet her adorable big sis," a devilish yet goofy smile painted itself across Yukari's lips. It was endearing.

"I-I'm... I'm not cute!" Ia protested.

"Don't be shy!" Yukari exclaimed, stepping closer to Ia. "Cute girls should be more confident in their attractiveness," she muttered in a low, alluring tone. Anyone could tell this girl was used to being a heartthrob, and loved using it to her advantage. "Hey, wanna be my girlfriend?"

"No! No, no, no! Not at all, never in a million years! That's not what I came here to talk about!" Ia stomped, getting even more flustered and aggravated at the lavender girl's incompetence. She slyly bluffed by telling her she came for her directly, it was kind of just a coincidence, but she wouldn't know that. "Why would you even ask something like that? You don't even know my name, w-weirdo!"

"I asked like a lady, but you didn't respond..." Yukari uttered, her playful aura draining itself as she became visibly put off by Ia's hostile words. "Who are you calling a weirdo when you can't even answer a basic question?" she retorted with a snarky tone of voice.

"I- er..." Ia struggled to spit out the right response. Yukari wasn't exactly wrong since it was true she didn't respond, but... she couldn't let that lavender girl tell her off so easily! This wasn't about mere pride or something petty, One was a stake! She had to choose the right dialogue option, and fast! "M-My name's Ia!"

The lavender girl slowly blinked, confusion oozing from every facial feature. "Okay… no surname?"

"Um, see! I can answer questions like that, so... uh, by lore of my statement, what you said is false!" She hung her head down, her adrenaline fading as she was slowly transforming back into her normal, non-confrontational self. What the heck was going on? Ia didn't understand her own emotions - these past weeks she had felt like an entirely different person.

"If you're not here to listen to my music, might as well just leave, don't you think?" she jerked away from Ia with sass and teenage angst, gripping her guitar and adjusting her microphone stand. "I'm performing whether you like it or not." She strummed her prized instrument with bitter cockiness.

Ia headed for the train. She ran, like she always did. Why did she do that? She felt so silly and humiliated.

Although, this wasn't defeat.

Ia and Yukari, at that moment, didn't know how much this encounter was going to change their lives.

"One, I'm h-" she silenced herself. Another way to deepen the hole of despair that was the sisters' current relationship was to wake the younger, growing girl out of a dead sleep. One usually wouldn't lash out over something like that, but things were already rocky, and Ia didn't want to hammer another nail in the coffin. She could let her sleep in today.

Although, as she set the food on the table, she decided to peak in her sister's room. If she was still getting some shut eye, she could quietly exit and wait for her to awake naturally. If not, she could finally get that apology out - the one that made her heart feel so, so heavy. It ate away at Ia that she needed to give one in the first place, but... sometimes in life you had to give tough love. Right? Regardless, Ia tried her best to manage the situation and the angsty teen she had on her hands.

Upon twisting the door knob, One looked up from her phone and met eyes with her big sister. "One, um, I got us some breakfast! And I also need to apologize... One, I'm sorry for acting the way I did," Ia bowed sincerely.

"It's okay, Ia..." artificial light illuminated her face - curtains shut. "I overreacted myself... I know you were just trying to protect me, and I got a little too offended... I'm sorry! There's no reason for me to act like such a little kid," she said bashfully, hopping up from her bed and returning the bow politely, asking for mercy.

Ia smiled. While One was physically a 'little kid,' she had a mature attitude the older girl could be proud of. Everyone has had moments in their life they are ashamed of, but as long as you learn from them and properly apologize, you can still remain a poise young lady. Ia knew she could have faith in One, they were siblings after all! It was impossible for them to be opposites, and Ia was not anything close to some... rocker, metal head. "We both forgive each other, so let's not worry about it anymore, okay? I brought some breakfast back from a bakery, and you might have a chocolate surprise waiting for you!" Ia abruptly changed subjects. The air wasn't so heavy anymore - everything was going back to normal. She could finally breathe. Well, almost.

It would be perfect if that lavender girl could also be so kind. But that was reaching for the stars.

"Eeeeeeeeehhhhh!" the younger girl screeched - chocolate was her absolute favorite! Of course she expected Ia to know this, but her sister didn't normally step outside of routine, therefore this was such a surprise! Way better than whatever bland ingredients they had in the pantry! "Yummy! Thank you so much!" One dashed to the kitchen, leaving Ia with nothing but a gust of wind and a spiritual chalk outline.

Ia followed behind, and after seeing the young girl grab her own pastry eagerly, she shortly did the same.

They began eating in silence.

Something to talk about... something to talk about...

"You see Yuzuki Yukari every day?" Ia asked. Yukari did say that, didn't she? That purplette had to be lying.

One dropped her food, a light thud as it dropped on the plate. "Every day? I don't... we just pass each other sometimes! I like her music, I barely know her as a person... I barely know her first name! Sometimes I can't remember it, so when you said Yukari I had to think about who that was for a second!"

"Well, if you're crossing paths enough you know her name in the first place, you need to find a new route to school. Or whatever extracurricular activities you may be doing. She's bad news, I don't want you hanging out with such a negative influence," Is stated firmly. Things may have worked out for the sisters, but that didn't mean she couldn't enforce the truth. That was just what had to be done, especially for One's safety.

One nodded. "I will."

She wasn't going to tell Ia she had already made plans with the lavender girl, and had no intent to cancel them.

—

It was a quaint, clear Saturday evening; one where every ivory star and complimenting constellation was shining bright. One stared out of her window in a yearning fashion, knowing she would be under the same calling sky in a mere hour or so. Ia never broke the rules she established for herself, but her younger sister was different.

There was a party happening that night. A party she had been invited to long ago; a party she had looked forward to with twinkling, eager eyes. One wasn't unfamiliar with celebrations, as she had been to plenty of classmates' chaperoned birthday parties and family gatherings, but... this get-together in particular was different. It was her first 'adult party,' even though she was the farthest thing from a grown up. A party One dreamed of attending for years; one where she could be herself around cool people who shared the same interests, and no adults to tell her she couldn't have two slices of cake, amongst other policing.

She viewed the event symbolically. She was getting older with every minute that passed, and grew from childish phase to mature hobby rapidly. She had a lot of 'kid' memories she cherished, but it was time for her to write a new chapter in the book of life. One wanted to listen to the hard rock music she loved, not some generic kiddie song that had an underlying educational meaning to it. She wanted to be around individuals that shared the same experiences and 'got' her, not classmates she only knew by association. She wanted to grow and feel comfortable in her own aging skin.

As much as One dreaded the babying and cried for adult independence, she didn't think Ia was a bad sister. She would never think negatively of the older girl, especially when she cared so much about her - even if it did seem a little excessive at times. That was why she felt so, so guilty.

"I'm sorry, Ia," she mumbled with a slight tone of remorse, before applying flavored lip gloss as the final touch to her edgy, rock star inspired makeup. She had been sitting at her vanity for what seemed like hours at this point, trying to perfect her craft and replying to friends' text messages. She told them she would be a little late, that she wanted to make sure Ia was out like a light.

She also... wanted to look pretty for someone. The girl she liked was going to be there looking as stunning and beautiful as ever. She wanted to impress her more than anything in the world.

Her name was Satou Sasara, and although she didn't feel as if they were quite friends yet, she really had it bad for her. Every time she thought of her chocolate brown eyes, her soft, feminine voice and silky brunette hair, her heart melted like the candy she compared her orbs to. They were acquaintances who knew each other through Yukari, and because of that, One would discreetly insist on the purplette sharing more about her.

She learned they had met on the same street One and Yukari did, as she approached a performing Yukari and offered her homemade sugar cookies. Upon taking one, Sasara revealed she baked them in admiration for her music, and mentioned she wanted to be a singer too. Yukari stated, "I barely know how the kid sounds, she's so shy!" with a laugh, implying that she only lets her close friends hear her voice. Oh, how One wanted to be one of those select people so bad, she would bet her own soul her singing was better than the angels in heaven...

It was in character for Sasara though, they only spoke a few sentences to each other every time they were in the same room. She was a quiet person by nature and One was nervous around her crush, so they didn't have the most lively (or long) conversations.

But she was determined to change that tonight! One knew for sure Sasara was going to be there since the purplette explicitly mentioned it multiple times (she wondered if there was hidden meaning in that), so... she was okay with letting Ia down for one night. What she didn't know wouldn't hurt her, and there was no way she would find out she was going to Yuzuki Yukari's party...

No way.

At least she tried to justify it that way. Gosh, the guilt wouldn't leave her! It annoyed the young girl to no end.

"Did you get the address okay? Yukari is worried her phone isn't working properly because you're not here yet. She told me to send it to you again," the words were written so elegantly on One's phone screen as they portrayed an address she had seen many times before. They were indescribably gorgeous to her - not because of the font, but because Sasara wrote it with her own two hands. One had gotten her number recently, and it was one of her biggest accomplishments... she held her phone to her chest for a few seconds.

"My phone's overheating, but... it's okay to pretend it's Sasara's warmth for a while..." she smiled, a crimson blush making itself known on One's hot cheeks as she snuggled it softly. She fumbled soon after as she realized what she was doing, which caused her to blush even redder out of embarrassment. Ah, she needed to compose herself! She needed to act cool and grown up around her crush, she was sure that was the type of girl the brunette was interested in. "I got it! It's not too far away, I'm coming right now! See you soon Sasa, tell Yukarin I said hi and she's impatient lol," she pressed send.

One had heard Yukarin (a friendly nickname) call her Sasa a handful of times, was it... alright for her to do the same? She was worrying too much once more, her main concern had to be getting there. She tossed her phone on the bed, dashing out of her room in a hurry so she wouldn't miss any further party antics. And most importantly, anything cute Sasa would do. She closed the front door as quietly as a mouse, and started her trip to her destination.

Totally forgetting she left her phone on the bed.