1: Twintails and Buns

Hi everyone! This is the story of my time with the girls at Nijisaki High School! If you want to read the story of my brother, read "Uchiura no Kiseki"! This story comes years after that, but it is not necessary to read that one beforehand.

To put things plainly, I hate my brother. He's quite a few years older than me, and apparently back in high school, he had the opportunity to go to Japan for a year. It was called Uranohoshi or something, and he was surrounded by beautiful school idols everyday. I'm pretty sure he met this girl named Sakurauchi Riko during his stay, because that's why I've come all the way from California to Japan today: to attend my brother's wedding.

My brother, Darren, went back to Japan after he graduated from college, finding a job there. I don't know the details, but he somehow met up with his high school sweetheart and they're getting married now. No, I'm not jealous! How can such a loser of my brother win the heart of such a beautiful girl? He's literally the type of guy who acts super nice around girls and never shows his perverted side! Unlike me! I OWN my personality. I know what I want and I'm NOT afraid to show it. Isn't that how things are supposed to be? Nobody likes fakes. All my brother is is a great pretender. Damn it! I'm so mad!

"Congratulations on your marriage!" Everybody in the banquet hall was clapping as the beautiful bride, with her long, dark hair and almond eyes, pressed her lips against my brother's, who was blushing profusely. DISGUSTING. After some speeches, everyone was served a gourmet dinner. I had no appetite.

"I'm gonna go out for a walk," I said, rising to my feet.

"Excuse me! Derrick! Sit down and show some respect to your brother!" my mom chided. Yeah, that's my name, Derrick. Sounds horrible, right? Almost like Darren. Anyway, I ignored my mom and stomped out of the banquet hall into the orange-bathed street. Life isn't fair, I know that. It always seems like everyone else has all of the good fortune. Why can't I spend a year with cute girls at an all girl school? Why can't I live a life like an anime? I want that to happen to me too!

I gazed out at the city lights, cars zooming by. I've never been to Japan before, but I always thought I would be more excited coming here. Now that I've come, nothing seems to appeal to me. What did I wish for? What did I expect?

"Ummmm, excuse me, sir?" A soft, sweet voice resounded behind me. I turned around to see two high school girls, one with half bangs and a bun on the right side of her head, and the other with twintails dyed slightly green at the tips. The twintails girl spoke, "Is this the banquet hall for Sakurauchi Riko's wedding?"

I realized I was wearing my suit, so they were probably Riko's relatives or something late for the party.

"Yep! It's right here," I replied, using my broken Japanese I had learned in an effort to compete with my brother.

"Oh, thank you! You're a foreigner, right? I assume you're a relative of Sakurauchi's partner, correct? He's from LA I think!" The twintails girl appeared very curious, while the other girl looked at the ground.

"That's right. He's the guy who can pick up any chick even though he's such a loser, just like an anime protagonist," I grumbled, half to myself.

"Huh? What do you mean?" The girl replied, confused, as the two looked at each other and shrugged.

"Anyway," I said, "I don't wanna take your time, so go on in."

"A-actually," the bun girl said, "could you take us in?" She blushed.

Taken aback, my eyes widened. She was pretty cute. "Really? What for? Aren't you the bride's relatives?" I asked.

"Heh heh, no," the twintails girl said. "We're actually… just school idol nerds… we kinda wanted to check out the wedding because we really like Riko-chan. She's really pretty and sings so well. We wondered what her husband would be like!"

"Oh, so that's how it is," I remarked. "Well, he's not much, but I guess I could take you guys in."

So that's how I ended up leading two cute girls into the hall, sitting there awkwardly as they chatted to each other excitedly about how cute the bride and groom were. When everything was over, everybody began to leave.

"Well, thank you so much for giving us this exclusive opportunity," the twintails girl said.

"Yeah, thank you so much… what should we call you?" the bun girl said.

"Uh, Derrick," I replied. No, don't get any ideas! They're just being nice like nice girls do! I'm going to go back to America in a couple days anyway!

"Derrick, huh? My name's Yu. Takasaki Yu. This is Uehara Ayumu, " the twintails girl said, pointing to the buns girl. "When are you going back to America?" Yu asked.

"In a week," I replied. "My family and I decided to take a look around since we're here. And I'm on Thanksgiving break right now, too. However, I don't really have a good relationship with my parents, so I'm pretty sure they're just going to go about on their own most of this trip. I'll probably just go off on my own to Akihabara…"

"Oh, that's unfortunate," Ayumu said, her eyebrows bent in concern as they traced the edge of her bangs. "Uh, I-If you like, we can take you around the city after our class ends," Ayumu suggested.

"Psst! Ayumu!" Yu whispered loudly, lightly tapping Ayumu's shoulder. She said something quietly and darted a wary look at me. See? They're just trying to be nice. I bet Yu said something along the lines of "Hey, we're just making small talk with him, don't give him any wrong ideas!" to Ayumu. Ayumu turned to Yu, confused.

"Well, I think he's pretty nice, and I feel bad for him, so I wanna take him around," Ayumu said. Then she suddenly covered her mouth. "Sorry! I said that too loud! Ah, Derrick-san, I'm sorry! But if you want, I can take you around… if you don't, it's fine! I'm sorry, I must have made you feel uncomfortable-"

"I'll gladly come with you guys," I stated. OH YEAH. LET'S GO.

"H-huh? O-okay," Ayumu said, smiling shyly.

"Not coming with US," Yu corrected, "you're going with HER," she emphasized, pointing at Ayumu. "I'm sorry, but I think I have things to do tomorrow after school… Well, you can have fun with Ayumu!"

"Hey!" Ayumu stuttered. "Yu-chan, that's not fair! Don't ditch me like that!"

"It's your fault for being too nice to random guys! Well, I really have club stuff to do tomorrow, so have fun, you two!" Yu grinned and began to leave. "I'll let you two exchange contact info or whatever, I'll be waiting over there, Ayumu! And thanks again for tonight, Derrick-san!"

I was left with Ayumu, who held out her phone, awkwardly. "H-here's my LINE info… we can meet at my school gates tomorrow… I'll send the address later…"

"Thanks! I'll be sure to make it there," I replied, giving her my info.

"Well, I'll see you tomorrow!" Ayumu said, waving.

"See you!"

"H-hold up!" Yu ran back to where we were, phone in hand. "Here's my contact info. If you want." She looked away bashfully.

"Yu-chan? What's this, all of a sudden?" Ayumu said, startled.

"Well, I was just thinking, Ayumu, you're so accepting and a little gullible at times, so I might have to protect you if anything weird happens…" Yu added me as a friend and made a serious face. "Derrick-san, I know I may seem strict, but we just met you, so that's why I'm being cautious. And I really want to protect my best friend. I'm sure you're a really nice guy, but… we have to make sure, just in case. Well, you two have fun tomorrow! Night!"

As I waved them goodbye in the dying light, I could see their two figures, silhouetted in the darkness. Wait. They look familiar. Could they really be- THE CHARACTERS FROM LOVE LIVE: NIJISAKI HIGH SCHOOL IDOL CLUB!?

*IKOU! ASU E! NIJI NO MELODIES!*

*OP PLAYS*