Author's Note:
If you can, and if you want, please read this fanfiction preferably on Ao3! The reason is that in there,
I can include all the illustrations I did for this fanfiction, and if you're reading here, you'll miss half of the fun!
I'm also JupiterAndMoons there, in case you wanna search for it :)
The sun was already low, hiding behind the buildings. The heels of her boots clicked against the sidewalk in a rhythm. People walked past her, one or two recognizing her and shouting out "LAYER-san! " and waving at her. Rei smiled timidly and waved back at her fans, who luckily didn't stop her to talk or take a picture - she loved performing and her fans' support meant the world to her, but she was not really in the mood for small talk that afternoon.
As she smiled at her fans, her mind kept wandering back to the previous night, during the band's practice. Everyone was impeccable, more than their usual even, but CHU² was dissatisfied anyway.
In fact, practice had ended earlier because CHU² had a meltdown on how the band wasn't meeting her expectations. That would have been a very normal behavior for CHU², if RAS was still at its first steps and Rokka was still "the temporary guitarist".
CHU² hadn't done anything like that ever since her outburst towards PAREO, months ago. CHU²'s meltdown the night before hadn't been as nearly as bad as previous ones, that's true. However, the point is that CHU² was still harsh, but her rude, aggressive behavior had gotten a lot better since then.
Rei could tell that CHU² seemed to be mad at something else entirely, not at them or their performance. As if reading her thoughts, Rei heard a message coming in. She picked her phone to look.
*
[MASKING] my old man gave me some extra chores. Just let CHU2 know I'll be a little late today.
[typing…]
[MASKING] Speaking of CHU2, I'm worried about her. She seemed pretty off yesterday. Can you keep an eye on her?
*
Rei sighed - of course Masuki picked up on that as well, she's always been the perfect mood radar. She had intimidating vibes but she was anything but, once you get to know her.
*
[LAYER] I know, I'm worried too. I'm already on my way to her place. I'll see what I can do.
*
She resumed her walk, adjusting the weight of the bass case on her shoulder. Something wasn't right with CHU², and Rei pondered on what she could do to help. After crossing the street, something behind a store's window caught her eye - she walked back to it, a little smile showing up as she looked at it.
Coming out of the store a few minutes later, Rei texted Masuki again.
[LAYER] I got an idea to cheer CHU2 up, I'll tell you later! *picture of a medium-sized present bag attached*
*
She put her phone away, and continued her walk towards CHU²'s place, hoping her idea would work, at least a little.
The elevator opened, revealing the opulent living room of Chiyu Tamade's residence.
"CHU²?"
Her voice echoed in the room. No answer.
"PAREO…?"
No answer, either.
Anxiety started to build up in her chest with the dejavu she was having - the only time PAREO was nowhere to be seen had been a really, really terrible one.
"...She is out." the muffled, distant voice answered after a couple of seconds. "RUNNING ERRANDS.", she added, in English.
Rei let out the breath she didn't realize she was holding in, relieved. She left her bass on the sofa and went towards the little closet/fort CHU² used as her hideout and working place; she sat on the wooden floor, her back against the door, resting the present next to her. Rei was straight to the point, but when she spoke, her voice was soft and calm.
"CHU²? What's going on?"
"...I don't know what you're talking about.", CHU² answered, her mouth full of what was definitely jerky. There was the sound of frantic typing, as she was probably working on the stage lights for their next concert.
"After yesterday, Masuki and I… we have been worried about you. You see, CHU², we've all been playing together on RAS for months now."
Silence. The typing went on.
"What happened yesterday didn't happen in a while. We know something is up. We want to help you, CHU²."
No answer again, but the typing stopped.
The light of her notebook illuminated her face. CHU² heard each and every word Rei had said. She crossed her arms and just sat back inside her fort.
She heard Rei's slightly muffled voice on the other side.
"It's okay if you don't want to talk about it, I... I just want you to know I'm here to listen, in case you want to.", and then she added, "We are all here for you, CHU²."
Hidden inside the fort, big, warm tears immediately filled CHU²'s eyes and the words came out before she could stop them.
"LAYER, I-I… I don't know how…"
Rei could tell she was crying, and CHU²'s distress made her feel like heart sank inside her chest.
"What is it that you don't know, CHU²?"
"I'm the best student in my class, I skipped grades… I put together the best band in the world with the best members…", CHU² said, her voice faltering. As she went on, her crying intensified. "t-then why I can't… make my mom come to see us play…?"
If Rei had been slapped across her face, it would have not taken her by surprise as much - and it would definitely hurt a lot less. Rei just sat there, as her producer and DJ sobbed over how her acclaimed violinist mother wouldn't come to see her only daughter play with her band; a band that her daughter had founded and writes all the music for, designs all the lights and so much more.
CHU² went on.
"I've invited her e-eight… eight times already… she's always busy with something else, she and my dad are always abroad… if she doesn't want to see my band, she s-should just say so…!"
She paused for a moment, her sobbing taking over her words.
"LAYER... did I... did I do something wrong...?"
Silence fell heavily between them.
CHU² was fourteen years-old.
She lived all by herself in this penthouse, god knows since when. PAREO helped out on that and kept CHU² company as much as she could, but even she had to go back home for the night and go to school. And she wasn't an adult either - PAREO was also a kid.
Rei felt her heart sink even further, but this time with a hint of indignation and anger.
She had always thought this was wrong, all of it, CHU² having no responsible adults around her. As much as she liked to pretend the opposite, CHU² was still a kid. Rei wasn't that older than her - only three years and a half, for that matter - but she knew what it was like to have parents like that. Her parents weren't as nearly as absent as CHU²'s, and Rei still felt resentful over the fact that they were never around, too. Rei also knew the feeling, so familiar to her now, of having to deal with a lot of things on her own, because her parents and people around her believed she was the "mature, doesn't-even-look-like-a-teen" type and could manage by herself. That wasn't exactly a lie, but it didn't mean it was always the truth, either. CHU² was dealing with a lot more than Rei had ever to deal with, when she was her age. And she wouldn't even start thinking about PAREO, which was an entire situation that bothered her a lot too.
This was all so wrong. All of it. Rei's eyes burned with tears wanting to come out, but she tried her best not to cry.
Hearing CHU² being so upset about her mother's lack of interest in her really hurt Rei a lot, in so many different ways.
"Open the door, CHU²." Rei, said gently. "Please."
The young girl hesitated. She didn't want Rei to see her like that. However, she eventually cracked the door open anyway, for some reason. Rei was sitting there, no one in sight but her - PAREO hadn't come back yet.
"Hey." Rei was smiling, but CHU² could see something intense in her expression besides the comforting smile she had on. She couldn't tell what it was. Rei gestured with her hand for her to come closer. "Come here."
CHU² froze and blushed a little, looking away.
"Don't treat me like some little kid.", she mumbled.
"I'm not. I just want to give my producer, DJ, and friend a hug."
Rei could see CHU² was really debating in her mind if she should accept or not. She saw the younger girl's eyes looking around her home once again, as if making sure no one would see it. Then, she dove into her arms like a little cat.
As she was being held by Rei, CHU² felt her eyes filling up, and the words lumping in her throat. She cried bitter tears again - in a way, letting herself be "a little kid", just for a brief moment, in Rei's arms. CHU² just wanted her famous musician mother to come and see her, to be proud of her. Her father was as distant as she was, if not even more. She wanted her mom to be truly proud of her real merits and not just to fulfill her "parental role" and praise her in her mediocrity, like she did so many times before.
She knew MASKING was close to her father, and CHU² wondered what it was like - being close to your mom or dad.
CHU² was sobbing and going down the spiral of her own thoughts, before realizing Rei was slowly stroking her hair. She never had anyone do that to her. PAREO would always try to, but she refused, artfully dodging the keyboardist-maid's hand. Maybe she would let PAREO do it, from now on.
They sat there for a while, in silence at first. At some point, Rei started to hum something, but CHU² couldn't recognize the song. CHU² felt Rei's soft caressing on her hair, and her humming voice, and all of that made it seem like her heart was swelling with a feeling she couldn't name.
Rei's deep, soft humming calmed her down. Eventually, CHU²'s heavy sobbing turned into soft tears. The young girl felt like a huge weight had been taken from her..
"I'm so sorry Chiyu-chan." Rei finally spoke, using CHU²'s real name, which no one ever uses at this point. "There's nothing I can say or do to fix this… I... I really wish I could. But what I know for sure is that your mom is really, really missing out on the awesome kid she has."
CHU² pulled away from the hug to look at Rei, almost to see if she was messing up with her. But she knew she wasn't. Rei never lied, nor ever gave half-hearted compliments. CHU² knew Rei meant every word she said. Using her blazer's sleeve, she wiped away the tears still clinging on her eyelashes, as Rei went on.
"You once said you respected us for playing; and I respect you, Chiyu-chan, for bringing us all together and creating the best band in the world." Rei brushed a small piece of hair away from CHU²'s face, now red and stained with her crying. "I appreciate you a lot. We all do. Thank you for letting us play with you, and for being our friend."
CHU² started crying loudly again, but this time clearly touched by Rei's words... She covered her eyes with her arm. Rei resisted up to this moment, but seeing CHU² so taken aback like that made her feel emotional, too.
"THANK YOU, R-Rei-chan." she said, slipping into English again and also using Rei's name in a way she had never used before.
"Awwn, CHU²…." she pulled CHU² for another hug, a playful one this time, rocking her sideways a little. And then she added, her voice trembling slightly with her emotion, "Aren't you the cutest?"
"I'm not cute!", she said, her voice muffled in Rei's arms.
"Did you just say 'I AM CUTE'?", Rei chuckled, teasing her.
"Stop messing up with me, OKAY?", CHU² pulled away from the hug, but she was visibly trying not to smile.
"Okay, okay!" Rei laughed, raising her hands up.
CHU² giggled, before noticing the present bag on the floor next to them..
"What is that?"
"Oh, yeah!", Rei said, offering her the gift. "This is for you, Chiyo-chan.".
CHU² tilted her head sideways, confused.
"But it's not my birthday…?"
"I know. Coming over, I saw this and I thought it might cheer you up a little, after yesterday."
The young girl blushed, looking away.
"Youdidn'thaveto."
Rei chuckled.
"Take it.", Rei offered her the bag once more.
CHU² picked it up and looked at it for a moment - the blue paper bag had a pattern of little clouds. It resembled LOCK's guitar a little. A pretty bow of dark blue, glittery ribbon topped the gift.
She undid the bow, opened the bag and fished out Rei's gift - it was a round, fluffy cat plushie; it was light pink with black ears and tail, and star-shaped spots on its back. It had blue eyes, large and cute with stars as the eye shines.
CHU² pouted, but still clearly blushing.
"I told you not to treat me like a little kid."
Rei chuckled.
"I'm giving my producer, DJ, and little friend a gift. You see, the blue eyes, and the black ears, it's just like your headphones. I thought it looked like you."
"No, it doesn't! ", CHU² says, her cheeks growing redder. After a moment, she looked at it on her lap, holding it between her hands, and added with a mumble "...well, I guess it does. JUUUUUST A LITTLE..."
A pause hung between them.
"...Thank you, Rei-chan. I really like it."
Rei smoothed CHU²'s hair down where it had gone all out of place when they hugged.
"I'm really happy you do..."
"By the way…"
"Yes?"
"It... It worked. You know. On cheering me up."
Rei smiled. She knew it wasn't just the cat plushie that did the trick.
In a fast move, CHU² stood up, taking the plushie and the gift bag with her.
"I'll put them away in my room. PAREO must be almost here, and so are the others."
"Masuki said she's gonna be a bit late, because she's finishing chores for her father, but she'll be here after that."
"ALRIGHT !", CHU² said from the corridor to her room, her voice already sounding muffled.
Rei stood up as well and picked up her phone.
[LAYER] It worked! CHU² and I talked for a bit. She seems to be a lot better. And she really liked the gift.
[MASKING] AWESOME! You're freaking great, Rei. What was in the bag?
[LAYER] *attached picture of the cat plushie, taken at the store* I thought it looked like CHU².
[MASKING] SO CUTE! And it does look like her, wow. Meanwhile, I've done the chores and I'm finishing up a cake to take to CHU2 today, my side of the CHEERING UP CHU2 campaign. I did the cakes earlier, I just have to put the icing and strawberries on.
[LAYER] Can't wait for the cake, and I think CHU2 will love it as she always does. See ya later!
[MASKING] Good to know that our old CHU2 is back. see ya!
[MASKING] *sticker of a yellow bunny, grinning cheekily, doing a V with their fingers*
*
Rei was just finishing reading Masuki's message when she heard the doors opening. A very colorful girl came in, bringing bags in her arms.
"Oh, LAYER-san! I see you're here already!"
"Hey there, PAREO. Let me help you out with those groceries."
"Thank you, thank you! Let's go to the kitchen, I'll offer something to drink." PAREO looked at the open, empty fort and then she looked around, a small hint of worry on her expression. "Where's CHU²-sama?"
"In her room, she'll be back soon.", Rei said, and lowering her voice a little, she whispers to PAREO, "I talked a little to her before you arrived. She's cheered up a bit, no need to worry."
"Really? Oh, that's a relief! Thank you a lot, LAYER-san. I'm glad that CHU²-sama is feeling better! She will feel even better after practice later, I'm sure of it."
She knew PAREO would be really worried about CHU².
The thing is - and now this information hits Rei much harder than before -, as much as PAREO loves and cares about CHU², she doesn't always knows how to handle CHU²'s outbursts. She sometimes even accidentally enables CHU²'s negative behaviors when she's trying to help. Rei didn't blame PAREO, of course; PAREO is a kid, just like CHU².
That conversation with CHU² was somehow eye-opening. It's not like Rei never noticed anything, it's just that seeing CHU² - her confident, loud, funny DJ/producer - being the kid she is for the first time like that, it hit Rei harder than she thought. PAREO was no different from CHU², being the loner girl with an aggravating factor that PAREO pretty much lead a double life of some sorts, and travels three hours a day between her home and CHU²'s.
There wasn't much Rei could do. But she could at least do something. Maybe she could team up with Masuki and the others to do something nice for PAREO too, since she's always doing everything for them.
In the kitchen, PAREO offers Rei a soft drink and both start putting away the groceries. Rei smiles a little and casually asks PAREO what her favorite snacks are - no ulterior reasons whatsoever, of course.
Rokka and Masuki didn't take long to show up - both of them met at the elevator's door and came up together. Masuki brought the strawberry cake in a box. It needed more fridge time, so they would eat it after practice.
CHU² spent maybe fifteen minutes in her room, and when she showed up, Rei noticed she seemed a lot better and not looking like she had been crying the way she did - she probably had taken her time to decompress and thrown some cold water on her face.
They began their band practice right away.
Everyone noticed CHU² was much more… energized that night. She was talking nonstop about their performances and the new songs she was writing and her latest stage lights design - which she showed them what she had so far. As CHU² talked happily about the colors she chose for the lights and the patterns, Rei glanced back at Masuki sitting at the drums, both of them smirking to each other as if they knew some kind of secret.
After practice, it was "Masuki's Cake Time", and it was delicious as always. Rokka was smiling widely, she loved when Masuki brought the goodies she made, but the entire night felt like a blast more than usual. Especially after the previous night being so tense. Rokka was clueless as to what had happened, but she was more than glad to see CHU² wasn't in a bad mood anymore.
When everyone was preparing to leave, CHU² placed her hands on her hips and said in her usually bossy tone that everyone did an incredible job. She then toned down her energetic demeanor, her eyes gazing down at the wooden floor.
"I… about what I said yesterday. You guys are not terrible. You really aren't.", she looked up at them again. "I'M REALLY SORRY !"
Only Rei - and to some extent, Masuki and PAREO - knew what had happened earlier, but all the members could feel CHU² wasn't talking about them only as a band.
"That's alright, CHU². You know, you aren't terrible, either. Far, far from it." Masuki smirked at her.
Rokka nodded vigorously, agreeing with Masuki. PAREO tried to hug CHU², and to the keyboardist-maid's surprise, CHU² didn't run away from her this time. She didn't seem entirely comfortable, however, but she didn't dodge either. Too many people watching, CHU² thought before pulling away from the hug, blushing.
Masuki once more glanced at Rei. A few minutes later in the elevator, she would pull her phone and message Rei, asking, "what the hell did you do, what spell did you cast on CHU2?" , and that question pretty much summarized the kind of expression Masuki had when she looked at Rei. The bassist only looked back at her friend, with a soft smile on.
After that, Rokka - who had already picked up her guitar case from the studio - headed up to the elevator with Masuki, who would give her a bike lift. They waved goodbye back to CHU² and the others.
PAREO went to the kitchen to quickly put aside the dishes before leaving, and Rei went to the studio to get her bass, so she could go home.
CHU² followed her.
"LAYER!", CHU² called, with her harsh, bossy tone back on. Rei turned to look at her, her hands zipping up the bass' case, curiosity in her eyes. "I need to have a word with you!"
"Oh? What is it, CHU²? Something wrong?"
"Yes! Something VERY IMPORTANT !"
Rei looked more confused than ever, and that's when CHU² "broke the character" and ran into her, embracing her around her waist. CHU² giggled.
"Got you, Rei-chan!"
Rei laughed a little, holding CHU² back.
"Yeah, I was scared for a moment there. I thought I was gonna be fired."
CHU² nuzzled into Rei, feeling her warmth. Rei caressed her hair, and CHU² felt her heart swelling again, the same way when Rei was comforting her earlier. CHU² wasn't sure then what was this feeling, but after she had a little more time to think, after the practice and Masuki's cake, she was pretty sure now.
CHU² looked up at Rei, her chin resting against her body, a little idea blooming in her mind.
"I will never fire you, Rei-chan... ACTUALLY... I want to hire you for a... special side-job. Yes! A special side-job, besides being RAS' LAYER ."
"A… 'special side-job'?", Rei asked, unsure if CHU² was joking again or not.
"THAT'S RIGHT . You are the best vocal/bass in the whole world, and proved to be qualified for this other gig I have... it showed up at the last minute."
Rei blushed at the young girl calling her "the best vocal/bass in the whole world". She decided to go with it, feeling CHU² was being serious about all of this, even if not exactly ."
"What is this special side-job, CHU²?"
"As your DJ AND PRODUCER, I'm now hiring you... as my 'big sister'!", she giggled. CHU² looked up at her with a big smile on her face, but hesitated a little at Rei's expression. "...Huh? Rei-chan…?"
Hearing what was CHU²'s "side-job", Rei was completely taken aback. She wasn't expecting CHU² to ask her something like that, most of all. It seemed like that entire night really changed not only Rei's perception, but also something inside CHU²'s heart.
Rei wiped away a tear on the corner of her eye, a warm feeling spreading in her heart, moved by this adorable "job recruiting" CHU² just held. Rei didn't have siblings. But she would love to change that. She leaned forward to rest her head over the smaller girl's, holding CHU² closer to her
"I'm more than happy to accept this side-job… 'little sister'."
CHU² didn't miss the trembling in Rei's voice. She smiled into Rei's embrace, liking the sound of being someone's "little sister". Especially Rei's. Is this what Ako feels about her cool, older sister? The "little devil" drummer never stops talking about Tomoe. CHU² always thought that was strange, a little lame , even, relying on someone's reputation so much instead of building your own. Somehow, she realized that it's not about "being proud of being in someone's shadow", it's about being proud of them and being happy to have them in your life. She was now happier than ever, having RAS and its members with her. And she fully understood Ako now, and was even happier than before, knowing someone cared about her like Rei did.
And happier than ever about the idea of being Rei's "little sister".
She nuzzled into Rei again - she was warm, and had the faint smell of lemon-flowery soap. CHU² used to run away from physical affection like this like the devil from the cross - or a cat from a bath -, but she realized it wasn't so bad after all.
"I have only one specification about this side-job's contract, Chiyu-chan: you cannot complain if I tell you that you are 'a cute little sister." Rei teased.
"HEY! Not fair!", CHU² said, pulling away from the hug. And then,she grinned like a little imp. "WELL, WELL, I can have the same 'contract specification'! CUTE BIG SIS!"
She laughed, seeing Rei's cheeks go instantly red.
Leaning against the studio's door, PAREO had been watching them with an entertained smile on - she was refraining herself from interrupting this super-adorable interaction between them. CHU²-sama having an "older sister" to look up to would definitely be good for her, especially someone as cool as LAYER-san. It was safe to say everyone in the band looked up to both her and Massu-san, being the two eldest - and coolest - members of RAS.
Both CHU² and Rei squabbled over who was the cutest, at the same time denying their own "cuteness" factor, until they noticed PAREO was watching them. PAREO was the one to finish the discussion by saying both of them were "super adorable, especially as big sis/little sis!". It pretty much ended with the two of them with crimson red cheeks, but reluctantly accepting PAREO's final word.
Later, after all of her friends were now at their respective homes, away for the night, CHU² was all alone. However, she didn't feel crushingly lonely the way she usually did. She put on her pajamas and slipped under the blankets.
CHU² left out a deep sigh of contentment and smiled against the cat plushie, holding it close. All the day's work - RAS-related and emotional-wise - taking its toll on her. It had been a good day, after all. She picked her phone on the nightstand and opened the message app.
Not yet in her pj's as she would stay up late to catch up with her homework, Rei hears a message coming in. She unlocks the screen.
*
[CHU²] NIGHT NIGHT big sis. See you on practice tomorrow *attached picture of a closeup of CHU²'s face, hugging the cat plushie. She's smiling in a playful way.*
*
Seeing the message and the picture CHU²'s sent to her, Rei's heart melted as fast as chocolate bars being left outside in the sun. This whole "special side-gig" thing was no joke, nor a game; CHU² had reached out to her the only way she knew how, and Rei was very, very aware this was going to be a huge responsibility - being someone else's sister-figure/role model. Maybe she should talk to Tomoe or Kasumi about this, ask for some adivice? She would message them first thing in the morning. CHU² had too many close people failing on her, she didn't want to add to that number.
*
[LAYER] Don't stay up late! Night, lil sis. Sleep well. see you tomorrow 3
[CHU²] You too, Rei-chan. Tell me when you need help with homework. *sticker of a sleeping blue cat, covered with a blanket*
*
Rei smiled.
She had no idea how this would unfold in the future. But whatever that may happen, Rei knew she was going to do her best.