I do not own any of the songs. They belong to their respective artist(s).
Boys sing in BOLD
Girls sing in ITALICS
Both genders sing in BOTH
Getting ready for the day, Hikari bounced in place. Her week was free aside from her composing, so that meant she could hang out with her cousin. She'd already gotten permission from Saotome to hang out with Dong-hae at the dorms
The day was also Cecil's first time on a variety show and she looked forward to his and Otoya's segments.
Dressed in a simple jeans-hoodie ensemble with her combat boots, Hikari winked at her reflection as she finished off her curly updo with fake tiny sunflower blossoms. Cecil's sash looped around her neck, necklace underneath it. She was, of course, wearing a blue STARISH hoodie. Beneath that was a yellow scale plaid button up and black tank top. A buzz from her phone as she pulled on her bag.
From: Oyabun
'Is your aunt free in two days?'
Hikari blinked and softened, instead messaging him Rin's number. That done, she left her room to head out.
-AA-
A wide, pleased smile formed on her lips as she walked with Dong-hae. He was checking his polaroid camera. "An article over both Masato and Syo's shows. I'll have to show everyone when I get back."
"They kinda remind me of the Ripplers," Dong-hae said, looking at her for a second. "I mean, they way they started out."
"Kinda, but the Ripplers did opening acts for older groups and solo acts. How long are we going to get lost for, by the way?" Hikari asked, sliding the book into her bag and looping an arm around his shoulders, smoothing his black hair.
"Until seven. We can eat dinner then separate?" Green-yellow eyes peeked up at her.
"Sounds like a plan." They stopped at hearing a lot of kids. Looking around, Hikari's eyes went wide at seeing Otoya with a gaggle of children. "Otoya?"
"Your friend, right? STARISH's leader?" Dong-hae questioned, following her to the gate.
"Un. Osika Orphanage… why does that sound familiar?" The cousins shared a blank look and Hikari whipped out her phone, messaging their aunt Noriko.
"Suspicious people! Suspicious people!" She paused and looked over to see a kid younger than Dong-hae pointing at them. Her eyes widened at the old woman behind him.
"Hikari-chan?" The woman blinked in surprise and realization hit hard.
"Kowai ro fujin?!" She blurted out, accidentally sending her phone in the air. Her fingertips caught the edge and Dong-hae smacked it back into the air when he tried to grab it, both of them colliding and hitting the ground in a heap of human limbs. "Oww…"
Her phone bounced off her cousin's head before landing safely on her bag.
"Oww..."
-AA-
Kiyumi Osika chuckled as she check over the cousins after sending the younger kids to class. "I see you're as jumpy as ever, Hikari-chan."
"You two know each other?" Otoya asked, looking between them.
"Aiko Nanami helped me set up this orphanage branch," Kiyumi answered. "A bit before you came here."
"It was like a set for a horror movie," Hikari added, making a face as she straightened. "Kai-oppa had a fun time scaring the wits out of me. I can mainly handle horror movies, but not jumpscares."
"Don't forget the sound effects," Dong-hae chirped.
"I will punt you, so help me."
Another chuckle left the woman and she patted Hikari on the cheek. "I'm sorry, dears, I have something to do. Take your time, okay?"
The cousins smiled at her as she walked away.
"So you grew up here?" Dong-hae asked Otoya, curious.
"Un, my mom died and I never knew my dad."
Hikari winced and shook her head slightly at Dong-hae's silent question, mouthing "Later."
He nodded and seeing Otoya start to worry, said, "Aunt Rin carried me for my dads. It was a wish for Papa for her to do so, since he wanted someone to carry on our Korean family name."
"They would have adopted, but between getting their dual citizenship, it was really busy back then." Hikari added and tilted her head to the side. "Didn't they mention they might adopt a boy?"
Dong-hae nodded. "They do have a boy in mind, but wanted me to meet him first."
Otoya chuckled and ruffled Dong-hae's hair. "Seeing you're just as kind as Hikari, I'm sure you'll get along."
"I hope so…"
A snicker left Hikari. "Dong-hae-yah's pretty shy though, so the kid might have some trouble."
He squawked. "Noona!"
"Are you guys doing something?" Hikari asked, catching Dong-hae's hands and swinging them. "I noticed the arts and crafts stuff."
"Eh? Oh yeah, we're doing a bazaar soon. Will you two come? We're also doing something for variety."
They blinked in surprise.
-AA-
"Ta-da!" He sang out, internally nervous as he showed his best friend and her cousin the room the kids were using to work in.
A squeak left Hikari as Daisuke held up a yellow umbrella spirit, it popping open. Her eyes, at first startled, softened and she gently took the umbrella.
"Umbrella kasa-obake? Are all of them yokai?" Dong-hae asked, peering at a red lantern held by Tenki.
"Un!" Tenki answered, beaming. "And we have wisps!"
A whistle left Hikari as she passed it back. "Wicked. Touma-nii would love this. He's such a yokai nut."
Aimi lit up as she tugged on her shirt. "Do you think he would mind coming?"
"Well, the Rippler do have a free week this week… I'm sure he and the other would love to. Is that glow-in-the-dark paint?" Hikari knelt and nodded to the maze.
"Yeah! Miss Tanaka brought some for us to use on the inside!" Kairi answered, latching onto Hikari's other side and tugging her closer to the maze, the older girl going willingly.
"The bazaar is going to be out in the courtyard?" Dong-hae repeated when Kensei mentioned it. "Do you plan on decorating it, too?"
"Oh, well…" Kensei faltered.
"It's okay! I think Kai-hyung has left over kusudama bouquets,"Dong-hae smiled brightly then froze, turning to Otoya sheepishly. "Uh, if it's okay."
"It's fine!" Otoya reassured, seeing Hikari get caught up in the girls' excitement. "Actually does Korea have the same thing? Yokai, I mean."
"Mmm… I only know dokkaebi. Korean goblins that either play tricks or help out humans." His lips pursed out. "They kinda look like oni."
"Can you show us?" Tenki and Daisuke asked in unison.
Making a face, Dong-hae nodded. "I can try. My drawing skills aren't the best."
Otoya smiled softly as the Nanamis helped the kids with the decorations, Hikari helping with the higher areas. Dong-hae awkwardly drawing and pretending to wail when he messed up, earning laughs. This place really felt like home.
"Ack, Hikari! Leave the glitter alone!"
"Eh? Why? It's just to put in the center of the wisps!"
"Unhand the glitter, you glitter bomb fiend!"
"Buzz off!"
Hikari laughed as she unloaded the boxes the next day from her uncle's van.
Byeong-su shrugged at Kiyumi's exasperated smile. "What can I say? My husband loves decorating. Be happy he had clients."
"Remember," Hikari said to the kids as they came over. "Two to a box so no one gets hurt if they trip or fall."
"Hai! Thank you for the decorations!"
-AA-
Grabbing Otoya's arm to steady herself, Hikari looked at an innocent Tsume. "What's goin' on?"
"You're our first customers!" The girl chirped. "And haunted houses are great for customers!"
Hikari nodded solemnly even as Otoya flailed. "Of course. That's completely understandable." Otoya gaped at her as she grabbed his hand, turning to the doorway, only to pause and look back over her shoulder, suspicious. "Dong-hae didn't happen to teach you how to springload some of the yokai, right?"
She got a bunch of innocent expressions and her shoulders drooped.
"That little light… C'mon, Otoya, prepare to be my human shield."
"What?! Why me?!"
"Because you're the guy, duh."
They made faces at each other as the stepped into the room.
The first thing she noted were the ghosts above the maze. "Did you put those up there?" She asked curiously, looping her arm through his.
"I think it was Yuuta-san. He and Touma-san came over to help with decorating."
A bang from the corner made her hiss in surprise and latch tighter to him. "That sounded like appa in the morning."
A laugh left him and he tugged her forward. "Ready?"
"Let's go so I can scold Dong-hae for giving them sound effects."
Otoya moved first and they headed into the maze. The first thing they did was accidentally head into a dead end, Hikari stepping onto a button that let out a maniacal cackle and earned a Kazakh curse. They reversed and eyed the ground warily for more buttons, the older teen flinching at a shriek and another curse escaped. She spotted something on the wall and curiosity won just to win a roar of noise that made them collapse, staring for a moment at the ghost dangling from the ceiling, Otoya's arm moving up to her shoulder as they bunched closer. It took them a while to get back up, Hikari restraining hysterical laughter. A glow from the end made them perk up and Hikari would deny hurrying to it.
"Sugoi… Did the children do all of this?" She stared in wonder at the twenty-three faces, animals, and objects on painted cardboard attached to the wall and ceiling. Some were even cardboard stand ups.
"Those kids…" He chuckled, releasing her arm. "This isn't scary at all."
The walls had trees and grass covering them, skies with clouds and she grinned brightly. "This is so cute. This would be cool to come back repeatedly."
"Really? I guess you're right," he said, looking at the note she'd found. "Those kids."
"They really are your family. Cheerful, kind, warm… I'd wondered how you grew up to be so, but surrounded by these kids… It makes me glad I came here. I feel like I can understand you better and it makes me happy." She smiled sheepishly and hugged the note to her chest.
"Ask me anything and I'll answer." Otoya beamed at her surprised expression. "You're like a sister to me, you and Tomo-chan."
Eyes widening, she turned to him fully. "Really?"
"Yeah, I..."
A ghost popped down from the ceiling and they stared at it for a moment before she shrieked, bowling him over in her panic. The duo landed in a tangled heap.
-AA-
"Cecil, you came?!" Otoya blurted out even as Hikari grabbed the prince by his collar.
"Do you want me to kick your ass?!"
He smiled despite her manhandling. "It sounded like fun, so here I am. I hope tomorrow comes soon and I hope lots of customers come, too. I want to help."
The next day, Hikari nearly ran into Otoya at the gate, him grabbing her before she could fall. She still held out the flyer. "There's a big flea market on the other side of the station!"
"A flea market, huh?" Susumu repeated, eyes lowering. Hikari froze in mild panic, never good with tears.
Otoya must have noticed both reactions because he smiled and clapped his hands once, catching everyone's attention. "Come on, what are you supposed to do when you're feeling down? Cheer up! Let's go!
It's a dazzling Shining day! Running late and nearly missing the Last train
Like a heart frozen in three seconds
With these vivid Searching eyes, what are these feelings?
So that my throbbing heart won't be exposed…
Each distance is like one fret from a guitar
With a tuning smile, are the preparations good? Are you ready!?
Trust myself! Let's join hands! Trust your dream, a world for just us two!
The greatest Ride! The signal's All blue!
Trust my song! Don't be afraid! The sky is endless! My heart's a Rave!
Hey, let's go on a continuous sound! Come on, become the resounding wind!
Why is it? In the Missing time, you might become tense and angry
If that time comes, please Remember the song that brought us together!
The tensing destiny, is this impulse fate?
I fell in love after one measure!
The truth is, I want to treasure you even more, but
I still can't control the volume of this awkward love... But I love you!
Believe myself! Let's kiss! Believe my dream! Look into my eyes!
This love of overflowing so much!
Believe your song! Hey, listen! Feel the beat of my heart! On the Stage of dreams
Hey, let's fly over the rainbow! Come on, come along with me!
I'll swear here! To surely become a melody just for you,
I will try to believe! Let's go towards a miracle just for two! Are you ready!?
Trust in us! Let's join hands! Trust our dream, a world for just us two!
The greatest Ride! The signal's All blue!
Trust our song! Don't be afraid! The sky is endless! My heart's a Rave!
Hey, let's go on a continuous sound! Come on, become the resounding wind
Applause from the gate made them look over, seeing a group of people at the gate. The kids perked up and about half practically teleported over to them as the other half went to the tables. A wry smile tugged at her lips and she shared a look with Otoya. "Wanna set up a radio?"
"Bears!" Aimi cried suddenly, ducking behind Kairi.
"Eh?" They stared at their friends in shock, struck speechless. Hikari wordlessly pulled her phone out and began taking pictures. "Poor Tokiya and Masato."
"Patience of saints," she murmured and waved at the group of seven coming up from behind. "Hey, family!"
A shriek left Tenki and he tackled Dong-hae. "You came!" The little bundle of energy didn't hesitate to sweep the Ripplers, Dong-hae, and Shiori into looking around. Sharing another look, Hikari and Otoya both moved to assist, seeing more people come into the courtyard. She paused at seeing her aunt Rin, the glacial beauty with dark brown hair (the color of her grandmother's before it faded to white) and the signature green-yellow eyes of the family. The woman nodded to Kiyumi and looped her arm through Saotome's, slowly moving to the old woman.
"Otoya," she said softly.
"Hmm?"
"They need you inside."
Otoya blinked at her then followed her gaze to the trio of adults heading inside. He was obviously confused but headed off inside, leaving her to the kids.
"What's going on?" Daisuke asked curiously.
She smiled slightly. "Just a talk is all." 'I hope it goes well. Otoya, please don't be angry with me.'
That night, Hikari entered Saotome's office and shut the door, music folder in hand. "I come bearing songs."
Saotome gave her a distracted smile, but didn't respond, sunglasses off as he stared at a picture frame.
She set the sheets down on the coffee table and leaned to look, him absently shifting so she could and a wide grin formed on her face. "Aww, Otoya made a cute kid. Who's the lady?"
"Aijima Katsuki," Saotome answered, tracing her face. "She was Kotomi's fraternal twin sister..."
"Otoya must have gotten the wild hair from her, then." Hikari looked at him. "She never said a word, did she?"
He shook his head. "She didn't really like me and shut me out after Kotomi disappeared. I never knew I had a son, only that Katsuki did and she raised him until her illness caught up to her."
Hikari reached over and squeezed his shoulder. "I'm sorry… have you told him about Cecil? Or even told Cecil at all?"
Another head shake. "I didn't want to drop a bunch of information on either of them at once. Plus, I need to get in contact with King Aibek. If Kotomi does have amnesia…" Saotome trailed off.
"More complications," Hikari finished. "Well, if you need anything, support or just an ear, my family is there for you."
At that, he finally looked up at her and smiled warmly. "Of course. Thank you again."
"No problem. Besides, this just means you've got a heir to take over for you later on." Saotome stilled, stunned at the thought. "You never thought of that, huh?"
He wordlessly shook his head. "No, I haven't."
"Well… you have now." She shrugged at his flat look. "At least you don't have three kids to try appoint as heir like Aunt Noriko."
"Mm. Fair enough."