Time: after episode 3, before episode 4
Characters: Yuri, Hisako
For reasons unknown, the trap set at the entrance of SSS headquarters never activated when Yuri opened the door, even if she forgot the password. Maybe it had something to do with the knuckleheaded creator of the giant hammer and the unwavering respect and admiration he held for the leader. Maybe he made the trap so that no matter what, it wouldn't hurt a hair on his beloved Yuri's head. But then again, there was the overwhelming fact that Noda was too much of an idiot to build a face-recognizing trap.
Whatever the reason was, it managed to spare Yuri's life as she opened the door without mentioning the password, too lost in her mind to even notice the lack of a flying hammer and instant death. What do we do now? Do we make a new diversion team? What would they do as a diversion? Can Girldemo play without a singer? The thoughts chased each other around in her head, repeating themselves over and over like a broken record. Iwasawa's departure not only meant losing a talented member and a respected musician, but also losing a big part of their operation strategy.
Their most recent infiltration of Angel's domain was a success, but it had left a lot more questions than it had answered. Yuri knew it was only a matter of time before she had to revisit Angel's computer and find out more about that program. But without something to distract Angel, they—especially the boys—would have a hard time sneaking into her dorm. If they started to rely solely on their guns and explosives, the Guild would struggle to keep up with their quota.
So what the hell do we do now?
Yuri entered the office, trying and failing to organize her thoughts. The sunset filtered in from the windows, bathing the room with a soft, reddish glow. Even though it was the principal's office, the tinted light made the place look…homey. A sad smile came to Yuri's expression, perhaps a little too sad to be one of nostalgia.
Her eyes snapped to a point behind the principal's desk. There was someone crouching in the shadows under the windows, facing the wall. Certain that the Battlefront members were still downstairs by the gym where she had left them, Yuri reached for her gun and pointed it at the stranger. Just then, the sun broke through the clouds, sending a brilliant beam of sunshine into the room and illuminating the figure.
I-Iwa…sawa?
Yuri blinked. No. It wasn't Iwasawa at all. Although she had on a SSS uniform with the sleeves rolled up like Iwasawa, the brown hair tied up in a ponytail was the farthest thing from the late vocalist's. It was the sun. The damn sunlight had made her hair look red for a moment and she had thought...
No. She isn't here anymore.
"Hisako?" she called, putting away her gun. The guitarist turned slightly, and Yuri saw that she was crouched in front of the acoustic guitar Takamatsu had brought up to the office the day before. Yuri had placed it behind the desk for safekeeping, unsure of what exactly she should do to keep it from harm. There were conflicting feelings surrounding the guitar; she wanted to keep it displayed so they could all remember Iwasawa and her dream, but then again, they were forced to remember her absence every time they looked at the ownerless instrument.
Hisako straightened and shot her a grin.
"'Sup Yuri? That's an awfully grim expression you have on there."
Yuri paused with her mouth half-open, struggling to find a retort without mentioning the dilemma of the singer-less diversion team. She knew Hisako and Iwasawa were close, and Yuri had more than enough experience with permanently losing people dear to her heart. And even though Hisako stood before her with the usual carefree grace and sly smile, there seemed to be something—or someone—missing from her side. Though her face didn't show it, she appeared…lonely.
She'd never gotten to know Hisako that well, and with the sparse number of females in her usual unit of the Battlefront, it was admittedly difficult to find a topic to talk about. Though she admired the talent of the band, Yuri never had a real interest in music and didn't know a thing about it. Other than the common goals of the SSS, there really wasn't much the two could connect over.
"There's just…a lot to think about," Yuri said lamely after a long silence.
Hisako nodded. "Ain't that the truth." She clasped her hands behind her head and looked around the empty room. "You're gonna be needing a new singer, aren't you?" she asked quietly.
Well, it wasn't like it was a crime to ask for one. "Yeah," Yuri said. "We can't run any major operations without a solid diversion unit, and it's ideal to stick with a band instead of diverging into another form of entertainment. So a new singer is a must. And…I'm sorry. About Iwasawa," she added as an afterthought.
Hisako's mouth turned down a bit at the corners. Her eyes dropped to the ground before moving to the guitar. "It's weird, isn't it? To be happy for someone because they found a way to move on…and to also be angry with them for leaving so many people behind. I'm genuinely proud of her and all, but from when you look at it from our standpoint, it's almost like she died. Again."
She picked up the guitar and held it like she was going to play, but her fingers remained frozen in place. Yuri watched her in silence, not sure what words of comfort she should offer. Everyone, literally everyone in the Battlefront looked up to Iwasawa as an idol; the fact that the NPCs look forward to their concerts was more than enough to confirm that. She suspected that even Sekine and Irie, who performed along with her, revered her talent. But Hisako was the only one who treated her like an equal, as a friend. They both understood each other not necessarily through words or actions, but through music—a medium they had the skill to channel their souls through.
Pain was an inevitable factor in breaking such a bond.
"Hey, is it cool if we take this?"
Yuri snapped out of her thoughts to see Hisako questioningly holding up the acoustic.
"Y-yeah, of course," she said. "It rightfully belongs to the band in any case."
"Thanks." She looked down at the instrument in her hands. "It's a shame she didn't take it with her. She'd need it more than we do."
"Maybe she wanted you guys to always remember her," Yuri suggested.
"Funny, she always seemed so modest."
The two shared a quiet laugh that echoed hollowly in the office. It had started to grow darker as the sun sunk lower and lower, casting long, looming shadows behind the furniture.
"I'd better get back to the girls," Hisako said, heading for the door. "Irie was pretty upset over the whole thing, so I thought I'd get this to cheer her up." She gave Yuri a smile. "Thanks, leader. Owe you one."
"Not a problem."
And back to the problem with the singer, Yuri thought with a mental sigh as she strode to her laptop. Can anyone in the Battlefront sing? Playing an instrument is one thing, singing is something else entirely.
"And about that new singer," Hisako said, popping back into the room. "I think you should put out a word that you're searching for a new one. You know, hold auditions and stuff."
Yuri kept typing without looking up. "Should I even bother? I don't think anyone could compete with Iwasawa, and I'm sure no one would want to try."
"Oh, I don't know," she replied in a singsong voice. "There might be at least one person willing to go for it."
Surprised and skeptical, Yuri glanced up from the screen. "Who?"
Hisako just smiled and slid back out the door. "You'll find out sooner or later," she called over her shoulder.
A/N: this was actually inspired by the episode 4 opening, the Yui version of My Soul Your Beats which briefly showed Iwasawa's guitar in the SSS headquarters. and yes, it was like a 0.5 second shot, but it gaVE ME SO MUCH FEELS BECAUSE IWASAWA'S MY FAVORITE CHARACTER AND SHE'S GONE BUT THEY KEPT HER GUITAR AND GRAHHHH
so yeah. I thought that was pretty sweet of them so you know, why not dive into that.