A young woman in a gray coat scrolled on her phone outside of Forest Hills Stadium in Queens, New York City, seemingly waiting for someone. After an exhilarating three hour concert vibing to music to artists from all over the world, all she wanted now was to crash in bed and get some much-needed rest. The only thing standing between her and that goal though was her ride, who was both running late and not responding to her texts.
Debating with herself whether to take her chances and take the subway back home, a silver 1973 Chevy Impala pulled up to where she stood, the passenger-side window rolling down to reveal the smirky driver.
"Did I keep you waiting long, Baby-chan?"
"Y'know." The music enthusiast entered the classic American car before taking a seat and closing the door. "The least you could've done is answer your phone to let me know you were coming."
"Didn't they teach you in school that texting and driving is not only unsafe, but illegal?"
"Not really, because I didn't grow up in a country where cars were the only viable form of transportation."
"Yeah, yeah." The blonde silver-haired driver chuckled as she began driving along Burns St. "You and your homeland's love for subways."
"I was gonna take the E Train if you showed up a minute later."
"That so? Not gonna lie, Baby-chan, but taking the MTA at this time of night back to Brooklyn wouldn't have been the wisest choice."
"Because of all those recent incidents at the stations? Ugh, New York really needs to install safety barriers like they do back in Tokyo."
"I'm sure the Mayor would love your input on how to make this fine town of ours better for everyone." The sarcastic driver checked both ways before turning right on Yellowstone Blvd.
"Huh? You're not taking Metropolitan Ave?"
"Why do you think I took so long to show up? There was some kind of demonstration holding up traffic, and the only reason I got here when I did was because I managed to turn onto Flushing Ave."
"Alright well, which way do you plan on-wait, don't tell me…"
"The Long Island Expressway, Baby-chan."
The woman in the passenger seat sighed. "I'd rather take our chances with the demonstrators on Metropolitan."
"Oh, lighten up. You'll get a better view of that skyline you love so much."
"The Lower Manhattan eyesore ruins it all."
"Heh, oh yeah. I forgot how much you hate that thing."
"I'm just saying the original was better in every way. It was even designed by a Japanese architect who knew how simple and sleek could come off as powerful and inspiring."
"Okay now you lost me." The Chevy made its way off 67th Ave onto Queens Blvd. "So, how did the concert go?"
"Where do I even start? Uh, Setsuna rocked as always of course! Her vocals were fiery, her outfit was hot, and her aura was blazing." Very Setsuna Yuki-esque adjectives. "You should've gone with me to see her!"
"Hey, she's your celebrity crush, not mine. I'm not even a fan of that type of music."
"Okay, Ms. Snobby Music Producer."
"It seemed like you had a fun night though, and that's really all that matters." The driver gave a thumbs up. "I'm happy for you."
"Y'know what would make me even happier?" The black-haired woman asked with a sly expression as the car entered a roundabout onto the much-loved Interstate 495.
"What would make you even happier, Baby-chan?"
"You coming with me to the Garden in December when Lanzhu Zhong kicks off her world tour!"
"I don't think America, Western Europe, and a chunk of East Asia counts as a world tour."
The blonde silver-haired woman glanced at her elated roommate's face before smiling herself.
"But… I do like some of her discography, so I guess you got yourself a deal."
"Omigosh, you will not regret it, Mia-chan! I'll try scavenging for some VIP tickets when we get back. I hear there's a chance we can even take a picture with her!"
The Manhattan skyline was finally visible from the freeway, a sight that even the Brooklyn native couldn't deny looked magical this time of night.
"As long as you still pay your half of the rent." Mia giggled.
"Do what you gotta do, Yu."
