Chapter 1 An's New Look
Akito's POV
I was at my job, when An walked into the store.
"Hey Akito", she greeted.
"Hey An", I greeted, before noticing something. "Where's Kohane?"
"She's hanging out with Hoshino-San and Hanasato-San today", An revealed. "Anyway, I came here because I wanted to ask you to help me with something."
"What do you need help with", I asked.
"Well", An started. "I was thinking about changing up my look."
"Changing up your look", I asked.
"Yeah", An replied. "Specifically…I want to start dressing more like Nagi-San!"
"You wanna start dressing more like Nagi-San", I asked.
"Yeah", An replied. "I mean, she dresses so coolly! So, will you help me out?"
"Sure", I replied. "Let me just finish up my shift, and then we can go."
"Go", An asked. "Go where?"
"To the mall."
…
After I finished up my shift, An and I headed to the mall and got a bunch of clothing.
Then, we started heading home.
"I can take it from here", An stated.
"Okay", I said. "I'll see you around then."
"Akito", An started. "Thanks for helping me out today."
"Of course", I stated. "After all, we're teammates."
The Next Day
Vivid BAD SQUAD (minus An) was waiting at Weekend Garage.
"What's taking An so long", I asked. "She asked us to meet here, but she hasn't arrived yet."
"I'm sure that she'll be here soon", Toya stated.
Then, the bell rang, signifying that somebody had just walked in.
"Sorry I'm late", a familiar voice apologized.
I looked up, and when I did…my heart stopped in my chest.
It was An. She was wearing one of the outfits we had brought yesterday. Also…her hair was now shorter.
"H…how do I look", she asked nervously.
"An-Chan", Kohane started as she got up and rushed up to her. "You cut your hair?!"
"Was it so that it would look more like Nagi-San's", Toya asked.
"Yeah", An replied. "I'm not sure if it suits me though."
"I think it looks great, An-Chan", Kohane stated.
"I agree with Azusawa-San", Toya stated. "It suits you, Shiraishi-San."
"Thanks you two", An said.
Then, she walked up to me.
"What do you think, Akito", she asked.
"You…", I started nervously. "You…you look great, An."
"Really", An asked. "Thanks. Anyway, I was thinking about doing a solo street performance."
"Right now", Toya asked.
"I wanna see if this new look effects my stage presence."
…
An was now doing a solo performance.
As she did so, I couldn't help stare at her in awe.
This song…it's the same one she was singing when I first saw her perform.
Once I thought about this, I thought back to that moment.
She was so determined to someday surpass RAD WEEKEND, and you could feel that determination in her singing.
After I thought this, I looked back at the performance An was doing now.
And…it's the same now. Seeing her perform, it's making my heart race.
As I was thinking, An's performance ended.
As everybody cheered loudly…she turned to face me…and smiled brightly.
This smile made my heart race even more, and it made me realize something.
Before, I wanted to surpass RAD WEEKEND and An. Now, I want to surpass it with her.
If only I knew…that An's determination to surpass RAD WEEKEND would soon be taken away from her.