A/N: Welcome back to STLD! Apologies for the long wait once again, but here you go, the next chapter of the UTX Arc, BFAB.
Enjoy!
Chapter 12 - BFAB
"So, Adam, could I ask you something?" Tsubasa asked, as she and the Militia's leader lowered themselves into the seats at their chosen table. It had been a few days since the winners of Love Live! had agreed to work with the UTX idols, and today, Tsubasa had invited Adam to lunch, just the two of them, while the rest of their friends figured out a plan for their joint concert. Accepting, the street dancer had followed Tsubasa to this café, a small cozy place in the middle of Akihabara.
"Sure, Tsubasa. What's up?" Adam asked, as he and his companion placed their orders with the waitress who came over. "It's kind of silly." Tsubasa said, making Adam smile. "All the more reason to ask it. I won't judge." He replied. Nodding, Tsubasa straightened up in her chair.
"It's about something you said a couple days ago." She stated, which made Adam raise an eyebrow. "Which was?" He asked in response. "When we were discussing the concert, you referred to the group as 'BFAB'. What does that mean, exactly?" Tsubasa questioned, before Adam sighed and smiled. It was at that moment the waitress returned with their coffee orders.
"Yeah, I should've made it clearer. 'BFAB' is short for what we in the street dance scene call 'Born From A Boombox'." He explained before taking a sip of his drink, making Tsubasa nod. "Which means what, exactly?" She asked. "Some people can learn to dance, Tsubasa. Others are born to." Adam replied. "The Militia, μ's A-RISE? We all fall into that latter category. You can see it when we're practicing. We're all doing what we were born to." He continued, making Tsubasa smile. "You really think so?" She asked.
"I know so." Adam stated confidently, before leaning forward. "Look closely at them next time we're practising. You'll see what I mean." Nodding, Tsubasa took a drink of her own coffee. "Now, I have a question for you, if I may?" He asked. "Sure. Go ahead." Tsubasa replied, gesturing for him to go on.
"Anju and Erena. I'm guessing that you were the one who suggested that the two of them help you to form an idol group?" He asked, making Tsubasa raise an eyebrow. "I'm not saying no, but what gives you that impression?" She asked. "Simple. You're the one who comes up with these plans. Those two are smart enough, but I can tell they're followers rather than leaders. Nothing wrong with that, but you just strike me as the brains behind the operation. Am I wrong?" Adam replied, which made Tsubasa smile.
"You're right. I knew that along with their natural looks, they had the skills needed for this kind of work. Anju is our costume designer, whilst Erena is our lyricist and choreographer." She explained. At this, Adam's eyes widened. "Which would make you the composer." He said, causing Tsubasa to nod.
"Well, seems my brother and I had you three pegged wrongly." He continued, which confused his companion. "How so?" She asked. "When we started being bodyguards to μ's, you suggested that they use a street in Akiba." The Militia's leader replied, taking another sip of his coffee afterwards. "I remember." Tsubasa said. "Well, we posed to them the possibility of you suggesting that to humiliate them." Adam continued, which made Tsubasa scowl.
"Why on earth did you think that?" She asked, before Adam shrugged, with a smirk on his face. "We didn't know you. Far as we were concerned, you were μ's rivals. And in our experiences, rivalries usually get ugly. But now we're working together, I can see we were wrong." He replied, which made Tsubasa relax. "Thank you." She said. "No worries." Adam replied, before they fell into silence for a few seconds.
"So, when you gonna confess to Honoka?" Adam asked suddenly, causing Tsubasa to jump. "W-what?" She asked, looking to him, her face bright red. "You heard me." He replied bluntly, placing down his cup. "I've seen the way you've been looking at her." Stammering for a few seconds, Tsubasa eventually gave up, and slammed her forehead into the table.
"I thought I was more subtle than that." She groaned, before Adam chuckled. "Maybe for thicker people, but nope; you're as gay as a damn rainbow." He said, drawing a glare from the idol. "So, when you telling her?" He asked again. "My plan is the day of the concert. I was gonna confess to her afterwards." Tsubasa said, straightening back up in her chair.
"Well, you have my support, at least." Adam said, smiling at her, which Tsubasa returned. "I appreciate it, Adam. Least there's someone in my corner." She replied, making Adam furrow his eyebrows. "What about Anju and Erena?" He asked, noticing that Tsubasa remained silent. "They don't know. Do they?" Sighing, Tsubasa shook her head.
"I...I haven't told them. Was too afraid of how they'd react." She said, looking down at the hard wood of the table. Scowling, Adam held out an arm. "Look at me, Tsubasa." He ordered gently. Complying, Tsubasa looked back up to him, only to be met with a hard flick to the middle of her (rather sizeable) forehead.
"What the hell was that for?" She demanded, clasping her wound. "For doubting your friends. I mean, they agreed to the idea to work together with us, despite knowing that there's 3 relationships between girls in our partnership. And I can promise you, that if I've noticed, hardly knowing you, then they've definitely noticed." Adam explained, before nodding towards Tsubasa's phone, which A-RISE's leader had placed on the table when they had sat down.
"Tell 'em. I promise you, you won't regret it. Or..." He stated, before holding up his own phone. "Do you want me to bring the subject up with everyone else? Except Honoka, of course. I can tell them that you've got something to say." Immediately, Tsubasa's eyes widened. "You'd do that for me?" She asked, getting a nod from the Militia leader.
"Just say the word." He stated. Looking back down at the table for a few seconds, Tsubasa eventually locked eyes with him again. "Do it. And thank you, Adam. I owe you." She said, which made Adam smirk. "No worries, Tsubasa. Just make sure that you sweep Honoka off her feet, alright?" He asked, whilst quickly navigating through his phone...
"Listen Up!:"
*Mentor started the conversation.
*Harbinger, Blink, Hybrid, Quake, Doc, Monitor, BlueHairedArcher, KotoBirb, NyanCat, Kayochin, Tsun-Tsun, Nico-Nii, Elichika, SpiritualPower, Kiracchi, Yuukicchi & Todocchi were added to the conversation.
Harbinger: What's up, little bro?
BlueHairedArcher: Beat me by one second.
Mentor: I'm doing this as a favour. Tsubasa's wanting to tell you all something.
Todocchi: Everything okay, Tsubasa?
Yuukicchi: I've got a feeling I know what this is about, but go ahead.
Kiracchi: Okay. Here goes. I'm...ah, I can't!
Doc: Take your time, Tsubasa. We're listening.
Kiracchi: I'minlovewithHonoka!
Quake: Dafuq?
Hybrid: Riddick, she just said she has feelings for Honoka.
Yuukicchi: Called it.
SpiritualPower: It was kinda obvious. But I'm happy she admitted it. Go for it, Kiracchi!
Elichika: I'm with Nozomi. I'm glad you trusted us with this, Tsubasa. You have my support.
NyanCat: Same, here, nya~!
Kayochin: I'll support you as well, Tsubasa.
Tsun-Tsun: Well, you've still got to get through Honoka's denseness. Also, who changed my nickname to this? Nico?
Nico-Nii: For once, wasn't me.
SpiritualPower: XD
Tsun-Tsun: DAMMIT, NOZOMI!
Kiracchi: So, how many of you knew? I was expecting a LOT more surprised replies.
Todocchi: You suck at hiding stuff like this, Tsubasa.
KotoBirb: I have to agree.
Mentor: Told you, Tsubasa. It isn't just me.
Hybrid: Frankly, you could have a giant neon sign on your back saying "I'm gay for Honoka", and it'd STILL be less obvious.
Blink: Is it bad that I kinda wanna see that? Just to see Honoka's response?
Mentor: We're getting off topic. Does anyone here have a problem with Tsubasa?
Yuukicchi: Nope.
Todocchi: Nah.
Harbinger: I'd be a dick if I did.
Monitor: Jamie, you ARE a dick, regardless. But in regards to Tsubasa, I'm cool with it.
KotoBirb: Honoka deserves to be happy. If Tsubasa can do that, I approve.
Elichika: Couldn't have said it better myself, Kotori.
SpiritualPower: Same. The two of you would make a cute couple.
BlueHairedArcher: I suppose I'd be a hypocrite if I said I didn't approve. After all, this group's already got 3 relationships between girls.
Nico-Nii: Go for it, Tsubasa.
Tsun-Tsun: I'll support you as best I can.
Doc: Seems like we've all said we're supporting you, Tsubasa.
Kiracchi: Thanks, guys.
Mentor: She's crying now. I think we've broke her. I'll tell her to message yous all later. We've got to help her confess.
Harbinger: No worries, bro. Catch you.
"There you have it." Adam stated matter-of-factly, as he flipped his phone shut. "Didn't I tell you that there was nothing to worry 'bout?" Sniffing, Tsubasa looked to him and smiled, despite the fact that her eyes were watering. Raising her arm up, she wiped the tears away using her sleeve.
"I'm...just glad they accept me." She said, making Adam smile himself. "We don't judge in this group." He said in a gentle tone, as he slid the phone into his pocket. "Yeah, but you lot are in the minority for that opinion." She replied, making Adam raise an eyebrow when he noticed the sad tone she spoke in. "Have you been given shit for the way you swing?" He asked, causing Tsubasa to shake her head. "Not...directly." She said, almost in a whisper.
"Who?" He asked. Looking back to him, Tsubasa said, "My parents. They're incredibly homophobic. They've never let me get too close to other girls, in case I got 'tainted', as they called it. Hell, it took everything I had to get them to allow me to be an idol in the first place." A-RISE's leader explained, before noticing that Adam's face darkened at her words. "Then you'd better hope I don't cross their path." He growled, causing Tsubasa's eyes to widen. "Because if I ever do, I might not be able to hold myself back." Sighing deeply, he looked to his empty cup.
"So, the fact that you're planning to confess to Honoka, I'm assuming that you're saying 'fuck it' to your parents?" He asked, causing Tsubasa's face to brighten. "It's an attempt." She replied, making Adam nod. "Well, they try anything you don't like after this concert, we'll step in. I give you my word." He stated, which made Tsubasa smile.
"Why would you do so much for me, Adam? Broaching the subject with the others, now swearing to defend me from my parents. Why do all this? You don't stand to gain anything from it." She asked, making Adam smile. "Far as I'm concerned, you, Anju and Erena? You're not our partners. You're three more members of our little 'family' here." He explained, which made Tsubasa raise an eyebrow.
"You really care for them all, don't you?" She asked, getting a nod from the Militia's leader. "Of course. Now come on..." He stated, before standing up and extending a hand to his companion. "I've got something to show you." Intrigued, Tsubasa allowed herself to be pulled to her feet, and a second later, they were out the café door...
Elsewhere, at a beachside bar...
"Hey, can we get a drink?" Erena called out to the bartender, who simply ignored her, as he continued talking to the three women at the end of the bar. "Ass." Erena growled, before a reassuring hand was placed on her own. "Erena, it's fine. We can get a drink somewhere else..." Anju said in an attempt to placate her friend. "Nah, I got a better idea." Erena replied, before she slid behind the bar, and started to prepare drinks for the pair of them, taking care to keep an eye on the bartender, who was still engrossed in his conversation.
"Erena, if we get caught, we're gonna be in so much trouble!" Anju stated, even as she took the drink Erena passed her. "Yeah, but that's if we get caught." The taller idol replied, only for the pair of them to freeze when a familiar voice asked;
"Can we get two beers, please?"
Looking round, the two members of A-RISE saw both Carlisle and Riddick as they sat down at the bar. "Umm...sure." Erena replied to Carlisle's question, before fetching two beers from a nearby icebox. "Must be your first day here." Riddick stated, as he took the bottle she offered him. "Y-yeah, sort of." Erena replied.
"Well, that's great. 'Cause we work here too." Carlisle said, making Erena's eyes widen. "Really?" She asked, causing Riddick to nod. "Unfortunately." He stated. "Come on, it can't be that bad." Anju said, causing Carlisle to smirk, as Riddick moved to face her.
"The pay sucks, there's no benefits, and the clientele treats us like shit." The Militia member said, which made Erena roll her eyes. "There must be something good about this place, right?" She asked, looking between both boys. "Well..." Carlisle began, leaning forward on the bar, "There is this pair of really cute waiters."
"Really?" Anju asked, getting a nod from the blonde street dancer. "Where are they?" She asked in a playful tone, causing both of the men to start laughing, which made the girls laugh in turn.
"We should get going, Anju." Erena said, walking out from behind the bar. Nodding, Anju slid off her stool and began to follow her friend. "Where you going?" Riddick asked. "To dance!" Erena called out, causing the Militia members to look to each other and smirk.
"Hold up!" Carlisle called out, as he and his counterpart ran to catch up to the two idols. "What are you doing?" Anju asked with a small laugh, as she and Erena turned back to face them. "Well, way I see it, we're escorting two ladies to the dancefloor." Carlisle explained, making Erena smirk. "So, you think you can keep up?" She asked, which made Riddick scoff.
"Us? Nah. Don't you know how this works? We hold a drink in our hands, you dance around us, make us look good." Quake stated, making the two members of A-RISE laugh, even as Carlisle groaned from his brother's statement. "Alright, then. Let's go make you two look good." Erena said, before she and Anju grabbed the hands of the two boys, and pulled them towards the dancefloor. Passing their beers to two men they were standing next, the two street dancers followed closely behind.
"HEAR ME COMIN':"
"A fiend like a monkey in that '73 junk
Need a Desert Eagle reefer smellin' like the skunk
I beat the block up, you can hear me when I'm comin'
If it's a problem then the choppers start drummin' drummin'
All the hoes lose they mind when they see me stuntin'
Dope boys lose they mind when they hear me comin'
All the haters get to runnin' when they hear that chopper drummin'
All the hoes lose they mind when they see me stuntin'
Dope boys lose lose they mind when they hear me comin'
All the haters get to runnin' when they hear that chopper drummin'"
Turning to face the boys as they reached the middle of the dancefloor, Erena and Anju released the boy's hands, and slowly moved their own towards their chests, all the while bouncing to the beat of the music. Next, they raised one arm above their heads, and began to put more power into the bounces they continued to do. Finally, they placed their hands on their chins and began to move closer to the boys, who began to laugh, the girls joining along with them.
"So, we making you look good yet?" Anju asked, tossing her hair out of her face as she and Erena stepped back. Smirking, Carlisle asked, "No offense, Anju, but even you know that's terrible. That the best you can do?" Laughing, Erena stated, "No", before she and Anju stepped closer.
"My n*az wet n*az, yo' n*az get drenched
My n*az play the field, yo' n*az ride bench
My n*az is quarterbacks, yo' n*az just recieve
With a single flinch boy, yo' n*az retreat
My n*az take the coke and they let the shit cook
Yo' n*az experiment with the dope and get hooked
My n*az take the coke and they let the shit cook
Yo' n*az experiment with the dope and get hooked
Now ain't that somethin' let the story get told
As the plot thickens, the script unfolds"
Moving a lot quicker than they had previously, Anju and Erena quickly began to bounce their body to the higher beat of the song, even throwing their hair around to add to the 'sexy' image they were going for. And, as if that wasn't enough, they even leant forward and swung their hips out, which drew some attention from the surrounding crowd. Reaching down, they pushed the hems of their dresses down between their legs, while swinging their rears out again.
"Whoa!" One of their spectators called out, drawing even more eyes to the pair of idols. Laughing as they watched, Carlisle and Riddick began to bounce along to the music, only to be caught off guard when the two girls stepped closer to them, turnt, and wrapped a hand round their necks, before they dropped to the ground in a perfect split. This caused the crowd to erupt in applause, as the two idols shot back to their feet, and turned to look at their partners.
"Okay, your turn!" Erena called out, as she and Anju stepped back again, while the street dancers exchanged a look. "I promise we won't laugh..." Anju said, before shrugging. "A lot."
As the crowd began to cheer them on, Quake and Doc shrugged to each other, before raising their hands to the caps they were wearing, and turning their heads to one side, then the other, just before launching into their own movements as the chorus started.
"All the hoes lose they mind when they see me stuntin'
Dope boys lose lose they mind when they hear me comin'
All the haters get to runnin' when they hear that chopper drummin'
All the hoes lose they mind when they see me stuntin'
Dope boys lose lose they mind when they hear me comin'
All the haters get to runnin' when they hear that chopper drummin'"
Stepping backwards, Riddick quickly slid to the right, just as Carlisle slid to the left, before they both performed another slide, this time in the opposite direction. As they got close to Anju and Erena, they gripped their caps with one hand, and pushed them to the side, moving their upper bodies to follow the movement.
As their companions smiled, the two street dancers began to quickly pop their heads backwards with quick hand movements, before they ducked down to the sandy ground in a spin, both of them snatching up a handful of sand as they did so. Shooting back to their feet, the pair raised their clenched fists to their mouths, and blew into them hard, opening their hands to allow the sand to fly out. This caused the crowd to cheer again, as the street dancers stepped back.
Smirking, Erena and Anju walked up to them, and lightly pushed them down to kneel on the ground. Quickly, the boys gripped the girls lightly by the waist to steady then. Now, Erena was practically straddling Riddick, and Anju was doing the same to Carlisle.
"I get ya back around three we can do it one mo' gen
Message to them hater middle finger to the wind
Let my chain swang with a limp in my walk
Baby hush your mouth respect a pimp when he talk
Everybody know that I do it for the hood
Help feed the hungry, now my homies all good
Word on the street, Joc got the heat
Suede on the seat, 28's on my feet
Two bottle of Crist' baby go on spend money
When ya add it up now I'm drinkin' rent money
My wrists on froze, make 'em jump up out they clothes
Go on enjoy your night cause in the mornin' gotta go"
Throwing their upper halves back, Erena and Anju slowly lowered themselves till they were practically touching the sand with their heads, before they shot back up, their faces almost touching the boy's.
Instead of saying anything, the girls simply turned and threw themselves on the ground, sending up a small cloud of sand. Remaining on their knees, they shot back up, as the boys came up behind them. Wrapping an arm round their necks, the two idols laughed, as, unbeknownst to them, the faces of their group's two leaders appeared in the crowd, smiling at the sight they saw.
Pushing away from the two boys, Erena and Anju had begun to crawl backwards across the sand, all the while keeping eye contact with their two partners, who had crawled after them. Taking some sand in their hands, the pair flung themselves onto their backs, while flinging the sand up into the air, causing the crowd to cheer, as the boys wrapped an arm round their necks and pulled them back up to lock eyes once more. For a few seconds, the two pairs allowed the roar of the crowd to be tuned out.
"All the hoes lose they mind when they see me stuntin'
Dope boys lose lose they mind when they hear me comin'
All the haters get to runnin' when they hear that chopper drummin'
All the hoes lose they mind when they see me stuntin'
Dope boys lose lose they mind when they hear me comin'
All the haters get to runnin' when they hear that chopper drummin'"
Smiling, both Anju and Erena leant backwards, and pulled on a pair of chains, allowing the bottom of a pair of buckets positioned above to open, dispensing their loads of water on top of the two street dancers. As the crowd cheered, the two members of A-RISE looked to the side, where they saw Adam and Tsubasa, both of them applauding.
"Shit." Riddick stated, after he and Carlisle followed the girl's gaze. "We'd better go. We'll never hear the end of it if we don't." Carlisle said, as he and his brother took the girl's hands. Silently nodding, the two idols allowed themselves to be pulled over to the two leaders.
"Having fun?" Adam asked, a smile on his face. "I know that we said we'd be practising, Adam, but..." Carlisle said, only for Adam to raise a hand to cut him off. "Anju. Erena. Could I talk to you two for a minute? In private?" The boy in black asked, looking to his teammate's companions, jerking his head over to the bar. "S-sure." Anju said with a slight stammer, before she and Erena walked over to the bar with Adam.
"Don't worry. They'll be fine." Tsubasa stated, causing the two boys to smile. "You two, on the other hand..." She continued, making their smiles vanish, as they both thought the same thing...
"Shit."
Over at the bar...
"What you two want to drink? I'll pay." Adam said, as he, Anju and Erena sat down at the bar. "Actually, Adam, we just had one." Erena said, only for the black-clad dancer to smirk. "Don't worry. Please." He replied, gesturing to the drinks menu. Hesitating, the two UTX students picked up the menus, and placed their orders with the bartender.
When they all had their drinks, Adam waited until they had begun to drink before he asked, "So, how long you two been in love with Quake and Doc?" Immediately, the two girls nearly spat their drinks out in surprise.
"W-what?" Erena asked of Adam, who smirked. "Tell me, you two, do I look like an idiot?" He asked, getting a silence from the pair for a couple seconds. "That wasn't rhetorical." He stated, causing the two to wince at his tone, which was a tad colder than they were used to. "Just as planned." He thought, as he took a swig from his drink to hide his subtle smirk.
"No, you don't look like an idiot, Adam. In fact, you've shown us that you're actually quite intelligent. And apparently, perceptive as well." Anju said, getting a smile from Adam. "Thank you, Anju. Now, I ask again; How long have you two been in love with Carlisle and Riddick?" He replied, causing the two idols to look to each other, both blushing bright red.
"A while." Anju said quietly. "Personally, Carlisle caught my attention during your performance at Love Live!" Nodding, Adam looked to the other UTX student. "And you?" He asked. "I'm pretty much the same." Erena replied. "So, since Love Live!?" The Militia's leader asked, getting a nod from the girl. This made him sigh deeply.
"Alright, listen up, 'cause I'm only gonna say this once, and once only. Understood?" He stated, getting nods from the two idols. "I'm not going to say don't ask them out. I don't have the authority to make that call. So, if you want to date the two, feel free to ask them." He started, causing the two girls to loosen up slightly.
"However..." He continued, causing them to jump again. "Ah, shit..." Erena thought to herself.
"While I can't tell you that, I can promise you this. If you do end up together, then the two of you do something to hurt either of them, in any way, I don't care if our groups are partners. I will come for you. Those two are my brothers. And I'm pretty sure that the rest of the Militia will give me a hand. We clear?" Adam explained, causing the two girls to nod hastily. "Alright, then." He said, before changing his scowl to a smile. "Then welcome to the 'family'." He stated, as he rose to his feet. This caused the two idols to adopt confused looks.
"We're not dating yet, Adam. Hell, we don't even know if those two have the same feelings for us." Erena said, drawing a chuckle from Adam. "Why is that funny?" Anju asked with a pout. "Because even if I based my guess on just the dance I saw, those two clearly have the same feelings for you. And even if that wasn't a factor, they've admitted it to me." Adam explained, causing the two girls to blush brightly, which made the street dancer laugh. "Come on." He said, jerking his head over towards the beach's exit, where Tsubasa was standing with Riddick and Carlisle...
"We've got practice to get to."
Smiling, the two girls nodded eagerly, and downed their drinks, before getting up to follow the Militia's leader.
A/N: And there we go, another chapter down! Hope you all enjoyed, and I'll see you all in Chapter 13 - Brightest Spark.
Madman out!
