Hitomi had never dreamed she would open up the box to find a pair of pink star earrings. "Oh papa," Hitomi sighed.
"Where are my earrings?" Mimi asked a little hurt.
Hitomi never heard her sister's question instead her eyes were fixated on the earrings her father was meaning to give her. She then turned to look at Folken. "Where did you find this box?"
"In your father's drawer, I was going through it, trying to find names of any potential people to be in the band and then when I opened the bottom drawer, well boom, I saw it and seeing that it had your name on it, I thought the most gentlemen thing to do was bring it to the recipient who your father was intending on giving it to." Folken replied.
Swoons and sighs were heard as Hitomi's friends and sister were won over by Folken's charm. "Why, thank you Folken, it was very kind of you." Hitomi said.
"Miss Kanzaki…"Folken started.
"Please Hitomi," Hitomi interrupted.
"Hitomi," he restarted. "I would like to see you tomorrow in my…our office."
"Why?" Hitomi asked.
"Well Hitomi, you are the co-owner of Starlight records and so I must get you ready for business dealings and how to negotiate with others," Folken replied.
"But Folken…."Hitomi stuttered.
"Hitomi no buts, your father would have wanted you work alongside me," Folken said. "I know you can do it."
Hitomi felt a smile emerge onto her lips. "Thank you for your support it's very much appreciated."
"Well Hitomi, I must go, I have to go and prepare for tomorrow," Folken said.
"Are you sure you can't stay?" Hitomi asked. Folken simply smiled.
"I'm sure, well see you tomorrow Hitomi," Folken said. "And good luck in trying to find a band."
"You too," Hitomi said. She then saw Folken retreat towards his car much to the demise of the other girls. As the others said their goodbyes Hitomi stared back into the box at the pink star earrings. 'Why would he give me earrings?' She thought. 'When all I really needed, was his love.'
***
Hitomi was now in her room sitting on her stool looking into the mirror. "Life's going to hard Hitomi, Remember that!" Those were the words that were replaying in Hitomi's thoughts. Her father always used to tell her that. "Papa," the word escaped her mouth as she felt a tear trickle down her cheek. She then turned to the box that contained the earrings her father intended on giving her. She then remembered the folded paper that was hinged inside it. She then opened up the box and took the tattered paper and unfolded it and read of the message.
Dearest Hitomi,
I'm sorry that I've never really been around for you and your sister and I would like to apologise for this by giving you these earrings that I made. These Hitomi will make your life easier. I hope that all your wishes and dreams come true. But Hitomi I have one warning you must not tell anyone of the power of these earrings for they will try and exploit you. Tell your sister I love her and her gift from me will arrive when you put those earrings on. I'm sorry Hitomi that I will leave you with the burden of hiding a secret but my dearest child, it's for the best!
Remember you must not tell anyone.
I will always love you,
Love your loving father,
Darien, Starlight Kanzaki.
XXX
Hitomi let out a sigh which almost sounded like a sob. Her attention then proceeded towards the earrings. 'What's so special about you guys?' she mentally spoke as she picked up the earrings. 'Might as well, put them on!' She then slowly but securely put the earrings on and as she put the final earring on she heard a sound that sounded like a technological noise.
Hitomi looked around to see if it was one of her electrical appliances. When she turned to look in the mirror she saw a woman with purple hair as the reflection instead of her own. Hitomi almost let a scream but a noise refused to escape her mouth.
"Hello Hitomi," the strange woman spoke. The woman had matching purple eyes and very pale blue skin.
"Who or what are you?" Hitomi spoke with a frightened noise that she barely let out.
"I am Synergy," it replied. "Your father created me, I am his last gift to you."
Hitomi then felt her fear reduce at the mention of her father's name. "My father…"
"Yes, I was his secret project that he had been working on for years," Synergy spoke.
"What's so special about you?" Hitomi asked.
"All will explained later, first Hitomi you see that note your father gave you look on the back of it," Synergy directed.
Hitomi turned the note to its back and saw a layout of home. (Note that Hitomi will not be living in the Starlight Orphanage Mansion) "Now, what?" Hitomi asked.
"Follow the map to where it is marked X," Synergy replied.
"But X, is marked in my room," Hitomi stuttered.
"But whereabouts in your room," Synergy commented.
Hitomi then realised that the X was marked on the fireplace in her room. Hitomi had never understood why she had a fireplace in her room in the first place but she got a feeling she would now. "What do I do?" Hitomi asked.
"Pick up the right candle and there she should be a switch under it. Press it," Synergy instructed.
Hitomi found that what synergy was saying was true and so she then pressed the switch and found that a hole appeared where the fire was meant to be. Hitomi then realised that she had to crawl through the hole. Hitomi crawled through it and noticed that there was passage way, she got up from her crouching position and continued walking on down it until she reached a room which had big computer in it. The computer was massive and suddenly the screen turned on, synergy appeared on screen.
"Hello Hitomi," Synergy spoke.
"What is this place?" Hitomi asked.
"Your father's secret laboratory," Synergy replied. "Now I can tell you everything more clearly."
Hitomi pulled up a nearby chair and listened.
***
"So you're telling me that you're a computer that can project realistic holographic images of any object," Hitomi said.
"Yes," Synergy said.
"Wow," Hitomi smiled. "My dear father always was thinking ahead towards the future."
"Hitomi, your father told me about your beautiful voice, he always gave me the impression that you would become a singer," Synergy spoke.
"How do you know this information?" Hitomi asked.
"I've been programmed to know it and your father gave me some artificial intelligence so I could think for myself and help you in any way if you came into situations you couldn't handle and needed advice on," Synergy replied.
"Well Synergy I'm in quite the predicament," Hitomi started as she told Synergy of the story of how and why she needed to create a band.
"Well Hitomi, it seems I can solve all your problems," Synergy said.
"What?" Hitomi said with an astounded voice.
Synergy then revealed some instruments to Hitomi. It was like watching an automatic garage door open in which the way the instruments were revealed. There lay a blue electric guitar which she knew Mimi could play with no problem, her little sister could play any instrument she wanted to. The drum kit was perfect for Merle and the green keyboard would suit Sylvie just fine and in the middle lay a pink, star shaped bass guitar. 'What was that doing there?' Hitomi thought.
She turned around to face the computer screen with synergy on it and smiled. "This is all great but who's the pink guitar for?"
"You, your father always intending on you forming a band so he had that made especially for you," Synergy replied.
"No way, I don't perform," Hitomi blurted.
"Afraid of what people will think of you, your father said that was your one flaw," Synergy commented. "I've been prepared for this too Hitomi, I can change your appearance if you want me to."
"Really?" Hitomi asked.
"Yes, I was designed to make Holograms, so that your show performances can be enhanced," Synergy said.
"Well how do you change my appearance?" Hitomi asked.
"Okay put her hand to your earring and say, 'Synergy show's on!'" Synergy instructed.
"Okay, Synergy Show's on," Hitomi repeated as she brought her hand to the earring. "Okay nothing happened."
"Yes it did look in the mirror to the right," Synergy said.
Hitomi looked into the mirror and gasped in shock. There stood a girl with Gold curly locks with sliver and sparkly green highlights in it. Her emerald eyes now appeared more crystalline and her lips were a spectacular rose pink. She was wearing a sparkly green strapless dress that finished two inches before her knees. Her shoes were gold heels and she had gold belt wrapped around her waist that showed how slim she was. Her neck had a gold and silver choker encrusted with emeralds. And her eyelashes where full of life and thick and looked so glossy. It was unbelievable.
Hitomi could not even recognize herself, that's how unbelievable it was but she could still see some of her of own features except they had been far more advanced. "Wait a minute if this all a hologram wouldn't the real me be projected into the mirror." Hitomi commented.
"These Holograms are different, they project into the mirror as the hologram," Synergy explained.
"Well if people see me like this, then I'll be in the band but I need an alternative name, I don't want people to know I'm Hitomi Starlight Kanzaki." Hitomi sighed and thought.
"I know the perfect name," Synergy spoke.
"What is it Synergy?" Hitomi asked.