It was Monday morning, the day that Momo was scheduled to move out of her loft and into Mio's apartment across town temporarily.
That wasn't the thing making her pace back and forth in her living room as she waited for Byakuya to come to pick her up. It was the fact that in less than an hour, she was supposed to make her debut as her brother at Seireitei Records.
A.K.A. where her, Mio, and their father were all signed to and produced. More importantly, where her higher-ups could see her, then discover her secret, and cut all contacts with the twins. So it was safe to say that she was more than a little nervous.
Shinji, who had been watching her from the couch for the last twenty minutes, decided that he's had enough.
"Momo, would you please sit down? You're giving me motion sickness with your pacing."
Embarrassed that she didn't realize what she was doing, Momo forced herself to sit down across from him. The anxiety was still eating away at her, so sitting down didn't do much to make her stay in place. Her leg started bouncing up and down while her fingers were drumming away on the couch cushions. Even her eyes couldn't focus on one spot for too long. They kept shifting back and forth between the front door and the clock on the wall.
"Would you relax? Everything will be alright." Shinji could tell that, while she did nod in agreement and tried to smile, his attempt to comfort her was going nowhere. So he tried to distract her instead. "You sure you're all pack? Didn't forget anything important?"
Momo didn't need to pack much, to begin with. Byakuya informed her the night before that Mio's apartment already has everything that she might need. He advised her to only bring the essentials. Toiletries, especially her toothbrush. Her phone and laptop, along with the chargers. Undergarments, because there was no way she was going without a bra the entire time she was gone. (Byakuya already promised her brand new boxers since the idea of wearing her brothers was more than uncomfortable.)
And most of all, Tobiume. No way was she going without her guitar again.
Everything was all packed in a duffle bag that sat by the door. Except for Tobimue, which was carefully placed back in its case.
"No, I think I have everything," Momo replied. "I'm sorry I'm fidgeting so much. I feel so on edge with all this."
"Can't be helped. This is a big deal." He said. "Just remember, you can come back at any time. It things start to be too much, just give me a call and I'll pull you out. Okay?"
While she was determined to see this through, it was a relief to know that she had an escape if she needed it. "Thank you, Hirako-san."
He smiled in return.
Then the doorbell rang. It was time.
Shinji glanced at the door before looking back at Momo. "You ready?"
Even with the twitching and shaking, she was able to nod back at him. "Yeah."
Shinji got up from the couch and headed to the door, giving Momo's shoulder a quick pat as he passed her.
Taking one last breath, Momo stood up as well. She quickly looked over herself and straightened her clothes out from wrinkles then ran a hand through her hair to make sure it was in place. Once she was she was sure she was set, she hurried to meet Shinji at the door.
She caught up just as he let Byakuya in. When the agent saw her, his eyes grew slightly from shock. It was rare to see any kind of emotion from the man, so Momo couldn't help but feel a bit pleased that she was able to pull it out of him.
"I..." Byakuya stuttered, trying to compose himself. "I knew she would look like Mio, but I had no idea she would come out as an exact image."
Shinji snickered. "It's amazing, right? I'm starting to wonder if we could this off with Mio looking like Momo."
Momo agreed. It would interesting to see if anyone would be able to tell if she and Mio switched places. It wouldn't be likely though since the only people who could ever tell them apart was their father and Toshiro.
Byakuya, who finally snapped out of his shock, cleared his throat and went back to his usual stoic expression. "Job well done. No one will ever know."
Both Shinji and Momo thanked him.
"Now that you're all set, are you ready to go? The other members of 'Shinigami' will be arriving at the studio soon." He explained. "I would prefer to get there before the producers so I can explain the situation to them."
"Hang on a minute. They don't know yet?" Shinji asked, crossing his arms over his chest.
"So far, only Hitsugaya is aware. I hadn't gotten a chance to inform the others."
Before the blond man could protest further, Momo stopped him. "It's alright, Hirako-san. They'll understand."
She remembers every member of the band very clearly. They had been her friends since middle school. She was the one who introduced them to Mio and helped them in learning their respective instruments. She wonders if they still remember her and if they did, what did they think of her now?
"If there are no more questions, then we should get going. My driver is waiting for us in the building's parking garage. We should be able to leave without anyone noticing." Byakuya walked back to the entrance and stood in the doorway, waiting for her to follow. "Shall we?"
Momo's heart suddenly dropped. Her hand shook as she picked up her bag. Every step she took to the door made her feel more and more lightheaded. Just as she felt like she was about to pass out, a warm hand slipped in hers. Looking up, she saw Shinji smiling down at her.
"You're okay." He whispered.
It wasn't enough to calm her completely, but it was enough to help her catch her breath. She smiled and let him take her bag so she could grab Tobiume. Then let him lead her out the door.
As she locked it behind her, she couldn't help but feel like she was being released or something. It had been months since she left her loft. Just seeing the other side of the door, it was a lot. Still, at the same time, it was relieving.
Shinji stayed with her until they got down to the parking garage. While the driver put her things in the trunk and Byakuya got into the backseat, the two shared a long and tight embrace.
"You got this, kid." He whispered in her ear. "I'm always here, whenever you need me. No matter what it is, just give me the word and I'll come running."
Momo started tearing up as she buries her face deeper into his shoulder. "Thank you for everything, Hirako-san. Thank you so much."
"Idiot. You don't have to thank me. It's what I'm here for."
"Even so, thank you. I don't know what I would have done if it wasn't for you."
Shinji could feel his tears building up. He pulled away and gave her one last look. Sighing, he ruffled her hair one last time.
"Take care of yourself." Finally letting her go, he helped her into the car before closing the door behind her.
He watched on as the car backed out and started heading for the exit. He could see Momo turn in her sear and give him one last wave from the back window. He waved back and willed himself to smile. It couldn't stop the feeling unease forming within him though.
'I did all I could for her, Miyako. Just like I promised.' He thought to himself. 'But now she's on her own. So keep an eye on her from where you are, sis.'
Watching the world pass her by felt almost surreal to Momo. It was strange to see the city she grew up in again after so long. Like she was seeing it for the very first time.
"Momo? Are you listening?" The sound of Byakuya's voice suddenly broke her train of thought.
She took her eyes away from the window and turned to look at the man. "I'm so sorry. Could you repeat that?"
"I was explaining how my driver will take your things to Mio's apartment. Which is where you will be heading once the band is done recording. I'll have you ride back with the others."
"You won't be staying?"
"Unfortunately, I have a meeting with the board of directors and won't be able to stay for long. I'll show you which recording studio the band will be using and stay long enough to explain the situation to the others. "He lifted his hand to take a closer look at his wristwatch. "They should be arriving now."
Momo could only nod before looking down at her lap. She couldn't believe that in only a few short minutes, she'll be back at Seireitei Records. The place that used to feel like a second home to her. Not only that, but she'll be in a room full of her oldest friends.
She could only imagine their reactions to all this.
"One more thing." Byakuya suddenly said, making her head snap up. "How well are you at playing Mio's guitar solos?"
Momo couldn't believe that she never gave that any thought. Throughout this entire process, she had completely forgotten about the performing part. The transformation and leaving home was already more than enough.
However, while her brother was better than her in some aspects, Momo was quite skilled as well. After all, they had both been taught by their father. Even if it has been some time since she played, she was sure she could do it. Or at least that's what she'll keep telling herself.
"I'll try my best." She finally replied.
"That's all I needed to know." He glanced out his window before turning back to her. "We're here."
"Where the hell is Kuchiki?" Toshiro huffed as he paced around the recording booth. His eyes trained on his watch.
"Relax Hitsugaya," Shuhei spoke as he strummed his bass guitar. "I'm sure he'll be here soon."
"He was supposed to be here half an hour ago."
"What's with you man?" Renji asked as he twirled one of his drumsticks in his hand. "You're more high strung than usual. And that's saying something."
"I have to agree with Renji, Hitsugaya," Izuru, who already had his keyboards set up, said. "You've been especially agitated this morning. Is something going on? Did Kuchiki-san tell you something?"
Before Toshiro could reply, a voice cut him off.
"How about I answer that for myself?"
Everyone tensed up at the sound of their agent. They all turned to see him coming through the door that separates the booth from the control room. While the other three quickly greeted and bowed to their superior, Toshiro had run out of patience already.
"Where were you?"
"I had to make a quick stop and you know very well where that was."
The white-haired man was suddenly at a loss for words. "Does that mean...did you?"
Instead of answering, Byakuya stepped aside to make room for the figure lurking behind him. As soon as thy stepped within sight, the band gasped in shock.
Standing in front of them was none other than Mio. Their long-time friend and founder of their band. Also the person they hadn't seen in months and weren't expecting him for at least a couple more. Seeing him standing there, looking uncertain and nervous, was almost like seeing a ghost.
"Mio?" Shuhei asked, cautiously. "Is that you?"
Before 'Mio' could speak, Izuru interrupted him. "Are you okay now? What are you doing here? We were told you wouldn't be released for another month and a half."
Again, 'Mio' tried to speak, but he was unexpectedly grabbed by the shoulders and surprised by Renji appearing in front of him. Lowering his face very close to his.
"What the hell, man? Why didn't you tell us you were coming? Do you have any idea how worried sick we've been?"
"Abarai!" Toshiro called out. "That's enough. Let her go."
The three of them all gaped at their friend. "Her?"
"That's right." His expression softened when he looked at the person who was still shaken up from all the sudden questions. "That's not Mio."
Turning back to the person in Renji's grip, they were once again shocked by the kind smile that spread across 'Mio's' face. One that was too doting and soft to belong they their bandleader. They were able to quickly connect the dots in their heads.
"Hey, guys." Momo's light and feminine voice proved their suspicions correct. "It's been a while."
For a moment, there was only silence. And then...
"MOMO?"