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
Hikari frowned in mild confusion as she flipped through the music sheets Daiki had passed on to her, walking down the pathway to find Syo. A sigh escaped her as she put it away in the folder then her bag. She clicked her boot heels sharply on the stone path, making most of her boys look over. "Syo, can I speak with you? It's important."
The blond blinked and nodded, jogging over and leaning down. "What's up?"
Shifting so her back was to the others, she spoke quickly. "They don't want Natsuki."
"What?" He looked at her in confusion.
"They don't want Natsuki," she repeated. "They want Satsuki. The cameraman saw the concert hijacking and took a liking to him then."
"This isn't good," he muttered. "Satsuki's a bit of a stiff when it comes to stuff like this."
"Hey." They turned back around as Otoya called out. "What's wrong?"
She and Syo looked at each other for a moment and she sighed. "What do you remember from the HAYATO concert, Tokiya?" She asked, looking at the vocalist.
He blinked at her in confusion. "What do you mean?"
"How Natsuki acted when he took over the concert," Syo explained.
"I… he was more aggressive, kind of." Tokiya frowned. "Why?"
"That's Natsuki's other personality, Satsuki," Hikari said. "He comes out when Natsuki isn't wearing glasses."
Tokiya's eyes widened then. "And he wasn't at the concert."
"Why does he have another personality?" Masato asked, looking at Syo.
Said blond shrugged. "I don't know. He doesn't remember anything as Satsuki, either."
"And the only way to revert that is to put the glasses back on. He's really strong… and I'm worried about the ad." Hikari quirked a wry smile at their looks. "They might ask him to take his glasses off, get the same feel from the concert."
"We can't even ask him about it…" Otoya puffed his cheeks out.
"He has to do it himself," Syo muttered in affirmation.
Hikari sighed softly and tapped her bag in mild worry.
Spinning in the computer chair she'd dragged into the practice room, Hikari sighed and stopped the spinning abruptly, swaying dizzily before she dropped and sprawled out on the ground. Catching her bearings, Hikari tugged a music sheet close and looked it over.
"Lyrics, lyrics," she singsonged and groaned, flopping her arm to the side. "I need a song for when Daiki and I appear on 'On the Flipside' to showcase our composing and my singing. Maybe with Tomochika? Nah, she's got her own entry song…"
Staring at the ceiling, she heaved a sigh and pushed herself up to sit criss cross and look over the sheets, pulling it over and stood up, walking over to the piano. Trailing her fingers down it, she began playing the first few staffs, humming when she realized it reminded her of something. Something from way back. Her eyes darted to the side and tugged a clean sheet closer, pencil in hand as she dug into her phone, flipping through her apps. Pulling up a sheet document from nearly three years ago, she began putting it on the sheet for a full view, grabbing another when she needed to.
A wry smile pulled at her lips, thinking, 'Shoulda known they'd be containing the same elements.'
Hikari pulled out another sheet, combining the two songs until it was down. Her head bobbed lightly and she put her phone on record, setting it on the piano top as she began to sing.
"I won't just survive
Oh, you will see me thrive
Can't write my story
I'm beyond the archetype
I won't just conform
No matter how you shake my core
'Cause my roots — they run deep, oh
Oh, ye of so little faith
Don't doubt it, don't doubt it
Victory is in my veins
I know it, I know it
And I will not negotiate
I'll fight it, I'll fight it
I will transform
When, when the fire's at my feet again
And the vultures all start circling
They're whispering, "You're out of time,"
But still I rise
This is no mistake, no accident
When you think the final nail is in
Think again, don't be surprised
I will still rise
I must stay conscious
Through the madness and chaos
So I call on my angels
They say
Oh, ye of so little faith
Don't doubt it, don't doubt it
Victory is in your veins
You know it, you know it
And you will not negotiate
Just fight it, just fight it
And be transformed
'Cause when, when the fire's at my feet again
And the vultures all start circling
They're whispering, "You're out of time,"
But still I rise
This is no mistake, no accident
When you think the final nail is in
Think again, don't be surprised
I will still rise
Oh, oh, oh, oh
And I still rise
Don't be surprised
I will still rise."
Hikari trailed off and stopped recording, relieved that it caught her lyrics and she began putting them on the combined song. A song from America began playing as she jotted down her lyrics. "Done!" She crowed and jumped at a startled screech, whirling on her bench to look at a flustered Daiki.
"Sorry!" He blurted out, face turning red beneath his glasses. "I just - I heard you in the hall and it sounded amazing - was it all my song i gave you because it didn't sound like it - are you going to sing it on the show - ?"
Laughing, Hikari moved to hug him. "I planned on it, but only if you accompany me on piano. Need to show off your skills, too."
He carefully returned the hug, blushing further. "I'm not ready," he admitted, pulling away. "I mean, you've at least acted before in front of a camera, but me…"
"It's not scripted, so you can act like yourself. I plan on doing that since I'm also a Nanami and a member of Shining Agency, both agencies with eccentric directors even if Oyaji retired." Hikari smirked and moved to pick up her stuff; a laugh bubbled up into a cackle, making Daiki freeze in helping her. "Guess it helps I know one of the hosts - he's gonna hate me~"
Daiki stared at her as she moved to put her things away. "She's crazy," he mumbled.
-AA-
"Natsuki!" Hikari called, jogging over in a pair of combat boots, dark blue skinny jeans, and a yellow STARISH hoodie. "Ready?" Stuffing her phone away, she tugged her hair into a braid.
"Kari-chan, yeah," he replied, smiling brightly.
"I didn't keep you waiting, did I?" Hikari worried, falling into step beside him as he stood and began walking.
"It's okay, I arrived early. Going out with you is like a dream, so I… Oh, thank you for going out of your way to accompany," Natsuki said, looking down at her.
"It's cool, really. Trying to come up with songs, my mind was spinning. I was with Daiki and Tomo-chan earlier. We've got some songs, a few that I need to get to Otoya…" A groan left her and she slumped against him. "Why do I have to plan a full concert? Why can't I just sing a song over and over again?"
Natsuki laughed, dropping an arm around her. "Because you aren't dancing," he said teasingly. "Dancing makes it seem longer, but you can't so you need more songs to make it longer."
"Gross," Hikari drawled. They fell silent and she breathed in the fall air, slightly excited for Halloween - and it was Cecil's birthday, so she was feeling more than a bit mischievous this year. Her thoughts paused when Natsuki did and she looked up at him as he stepped away a bit. "Natsuki?"
"I have a favor to ask you, Kari-chan," Natsuki said quietly, firmly.
"What is it?" She tilted her head curiously.
He took a deep breath. "I want you to be only my Kari-chan today. I love you so, so much. I want you all to myself." Natsuki had a hopeful smile on his lips.
Her brain shorted out for a moment, but Hikari was quick to catch herself. Holding out her hand, palm up, she said simply, "Today."
The blond beamed and reached for her hand, only to pause and lift his bag. "Oh, wait, I wanted to show you something."
Hikari perked up at the sight of the sheet, gently taking it. "You finished the lyrics?" Her lips quirked up at his nod. "Strength, resolve… you didn't write this with your usual mindset, huh?"
"You can tell?" She nodded at his surprised look. "Honestly, I feel like someone's been protecting me my whole life, but I know it can't go on this way. I want to become stronger… Kari-chan, will you support me?"
"Of course," she said immediately and smiled warmly. "Just don't forget, even if you don't want to fully rely on your protector anymore, you still can from time to time."
"Hai!" He smiled warmly back before gently taking her hand, cradling it in his as they moved.
-AA-
Hikari slapped her cheeks lightly as she stared into the mirror, water dripping down her cheeks before she wiped the drops away and stepped out of the bathroom to join Natsuki on his lunch break.
She followed him to the roof, seeing something weighing on his mind. They settled on a bench and Hikari put down her bag, stretching her legs out, waiting for him to say something.
"This is pathetic," he sighed quietly. "It's hard being strong, isn't it? I can't…"
"People have different strengths, Tsuki," she murmured. "You can do it, so long as you work hard for it, and I know you will."
"Kari-chan…?"
"Your lyrics held your desire for change and change is hard for even the strongest person."
"You're right. You're exactly right." Natsuki smiled faintly. "I can't get discouraged here. I'll do my best."
Her eyes fluttered shut. "I'll be here to help you." She shifted and lightly gripped his clasped hands.
His hands shifted, catching hers. "Thank you, Kari-chan. I actually have a secret plan," he spoke as his hands shifted, one disappearing. "The cameraman suggested for me to take off my glasses. I think it will change my aura, too…"
She didn't release his hand even as he trailed off. Not opening her eyes, she said, "I'm not letting go even if you're present, Tsuki-yah." The clattering noise alerted her to the glasses falling.
"You think you can help Natsuki?" He returned lowly, squeezing her hand tightly.
Opening her eyes, she lolled her head so she was looking into sharp dark green eyes. "I merely said I'd be here to help, that's all."
He squeezed tighter and it took all her acting skills to act like it didn't bug her. "I'm the one protecting Natsuki… from everyone who tries to hurt him. People like you are the most dangerous. Those who pretend to be kind and approach Natsuki."
"I don't like to pretend. It's too similar to my liking," she stated. Jerking her arm and twisting, Satsuki was forced to come closer, faces close. "And I don't lie. I may not say anything, but never lie. I'm not like whoever you're trying to compare me to."
Green eyes went wide in surprise before narrowing darkly. "That woman stole his song, that he wrote, and disappeared. I was born from Natsuki's despair."
"Any song I have has either been written for me as a gift or an assignment, or simply written by my hand or remixed with the proper dedications." She squeezed his hand roughly, taking care not to squeeze too hard. Her teeth bared in a smile. "I'd sooner lose my ability to write than steal a song."
"I'm really supposed to believe that?" He let out a mocking laugh, making them both shake. "I'll stand in for Natsuki… and maybe pick up where we left off."
Hikari ignored the minor threat. "You'd shake his confidence, then? Just like that woman?"
They faintly heard the call of Syo, but ignored him as Satsuki jerked away, freeing himself before looming over her, caging her against the bench. A crack sounded out as he stepped on the glasses. "Excuse me?"
"Natsuki knows you exist, how else would he be trying to change and become stronger? It would be the only way to pay you back for all that you've done-"
"And how would you know that?" He snapped, looming closer. "How could you even think he'd want that when it could hurt him-"
"He wrote a song for you!" She raised her voice, pushing from the bench and standing chest to chest with Satsuki; her voice lowered to a hiss as their friends faltered, almost half the courtyard away where they stopped. "Natsuki is so much stronger than I am and you're stronger than the both of us - the lyrics he wrote for the song I gave him are for you. Not me, not Syo, and definitely not that hag who stole his precious song, it's you!"
"You-" He began, but he was faltering and Hikari pushed forward, figuratively and physically, hand waving towards the bag.
""I sing for you,"If I could just reach out my hand, we'd become one," "I want to walk together/ so I'll have the power to protect-" they're aimed at you, Satsuki! Natsuki's to open to hide his feelings and he'd definitely never lie about something like this." She stared at him for a moment before whirling to her bag, jerking it open and pulling out the lyrics. Catching his wrist, she forced him to take the paper and look at the words. Quietly, Hikari continued, "You know Natsuki so well it blinds you to things that are so ingrained in him you can't notice them. He told me earlier he felt like there was someone protecting him his whole life and doesn't want to depend solely on his protector. It's why I did offer my help. He'll crash and burn like a meteorite if he does and it won't be for the best like a shooting star."
"You're so serious about him… why?"
Hikari couldn't lie to him. "Because I nearly did when Haruka died. My best friend and keeper of my secrets, my heart - I don't want anything like that to happen to my friends, let alone you and Natsuki." Green eyes focused hard on her.
"Hey! Is something going on?" They all looked to see Cecil coming up on the duo's side of the rooftop.
"Cecil? Why're you wearing glasses?" Hikari looked at him in disbelief and he beamed as he walked closer. The trio ignored Syo's panicky sputters.
"Disguises are a part of the fundamentals for idols," he answered, pulling the glasses off.
She tried, she really, really did, but the words slipped out in Kazakh anyway. "The only idol thing you're known for is an Avatar rip off."
He gaped at her then jabbed the glasses at her fiercely. "I'll have you know I don't just spirit walk for horrible reasons, like that childish airbender."
An offended gasp left her.
"Heh." The stopped their banter cold and turned wide eyes on Satsuki as he plucked the glasses from Cecil's hand. "I can see why Natsuki likes you."
Hikari watched blankly as he slid the glasses, Natsuki coming back. "Eh? Cecil-kun, what are you doing here? And why am I holding my lyrics, Kari-chan?"
Cecil looked up at him in confusion, then at her in bewilderment and she sighed heavily. "You're so high maintenance, Tsuki. Eat your lunch before you have to go shoot again."
-AA-
Cecil lightly nudged her side, making her look at him distractedly. His eyes were twinkling in amusement. "You're drooling."
"I am not," Hikari said defensively even as her hand came up to her mouth and he laughed. She stepped on his toes, scowling and blushing. "I saw you, too, getting hot under the collar much?"
His skin darkened in a blush and he coughed. "I, uh, I don't know what you're talking about. He does wear my sunglasses well… why are you looking at me like that?"
"Are relationships different in Agnapolis?" Hikari asked, sipping her water bottle as the rest of STARISH went to speak with Natsuki. "I mean, my uncles had to go through loops to get married and have Dong-hae as their son and you seem rather… open, for Japan and Korean tastes at least/"
"Oh, yes, they are. Homosexual relationships and polygamous relationships are accepted in Agnapolis. The gods and goddesses are along with the Muses, so it's all legal as well. It's the same in Permafrost." Cecil blinked at her. "Do you want me to get you a book on the culture of both countries? I think we have some back at the palace…"
Blinking rapidly, she nodded as her eyes went to her boys as they group spoke to each other. "Yes, please."
"Want me to see if I can get some of Natsuki's pictures?" He asked slyly and she started to nod, only to glower at him dangerously.
"Stop it." He threw his head back and laughed. Hikari rolled her eyes and flopped against him, nearly knocking him down. "You're such a pain."
-AA-
Otoya couldn't help sharing wary looks with his bandmates as their seniors caught up to them. It wasn't that they disliked them, more like they were a bit… overbearing.
A shriek caught their attention. Looking down the hall, he blinked as Hikari ran down it.
"Hikari?" Tokiya called, face even warier.
She waved and beamed. "Hey, boys, senpai! Bye, senpai, boys!" That rushed out, Hikari threw herself over the railing in a flip and Otoya rushed to look after her, seeing her roll and rush off.
"Excuse me!" A voice yelled from behind and Cecil shot over the railing after her. "Hikari! Get back here!"
"No way! You're gonna hit me!"
They stared wordlessly.
"At least there's no glitter," Masato said after a moment.
"That we know of," Syo muttered and started down the hall. "Didn't she just come from the dorms?"
Sharing even warier looks, Otoya and the rest of STARISH followed the blond, worried.
Boyce Avenue Cover of Katy Perry's "Rise" is the first song. Also, catnip (cackles).