DISCLAIMER I DO NOT OWN AIKATSU NOR THE SONGS USED
*Yakusoku no Kizuna by anime: Over the Boundary
Momo's POV
I glanced into the classroom, hearing all the students going silent. I looked back Takahashi's navy blue eyes. They were just as sharp and cutting as I remembered. She stared at me unblinkingly. She leaned against the door frame, crossing her arms over her chest.
"I know well about you Suzukawa Momo. You aren't the type to suddenly propose a duet without a reason. I highly doubt that it's because of some video that Watanabe showed you nor the fact that I'm the queen."
"It's exactly that though. You love music, don't you?" She gave me a once over from the feet up.
"Denied." With that she shut the door in my face. I tilted my head at the closed door.
"Perhaps I should try again when I have time to talk more into detail." I turned on my heel, heading to class. Fumiko snapped out of her fear to run up to me.
"How about no? What were you thinking? You didn't just ask the queen to perform a duet with you. You asked Charlotte! Takahashi Charlotte! Are you crazy? Even the other upper classmates couldn't believe themselves. Do you know why? It's because not even them, or the third years, think to ask her. Do you realize what you're doing?" I causally leaned away from Fumiko's worried rambling.
"Of course I do. I've stated what I desired with my own mouth. You are even going through the effort to repeat back the last few seconds to me." She fumbled over her words, not believing in the audacity that I had. She suddenly grabbed my arm, dragging me to class. She pulled me in front of Shouta and mine's desk.
"Shouta, tell Momo that's crazy. No questions, just tell her." Shouta looked up at me with wide eyes.
"You're crazy?" He said slowly. I chuckled, taking my seat next to him.
"She's fussing over nothing." Fumiko fake coughed in shock.
"Nothing? Nothing?! You want to know what Momo did? She went up to the second year floor and asked for Char-chan. Then she had the craziest idea to ask for a duet. But it doesn't stop there as she asked Charlotte for a duet. Word of advice. Never show this girl a video. She ends up losing her mind." I took out my stuff out of my bag.
"We should work on expanding your vocabulary. You've used crazy too much." Fumiko lost the strength to continue, falling to her knees, resting her forehead on our desk. Shouta looked between the two of us, not too sure on what to do.
"D-did you actually try talking to Takahashi-senpai?" I nodded. Making him shiver a little. "Why?"
"Because she loves music." I said confidently. He cocked his head a little, meeting with my eyes.
"You hear that? That's the exact same thing that she said to Char-chan when she questioned her. Do you understand that?"
"I do." The corners of my mouth went up at his answer. "Momo-san, might be in over her head for this one but she knows good music. If she says that Takahashi-senpai loves her music, then it must have shown enough to spark an interest in her. I'm going to put my money on that. That's what got her into me after all."
I smirked seeing him like this. "Well there you have it Fumiko. If Shouta-kun says I'm fine then that's that."
She groaned at us. "I really wish you guys weren't so in touch. It's creepy that you guys read each other's minds."
"He can't read my mind. He merely understands that I don't act rash. My reasoning is just my way of advancing forward. Which may seem strange to you, whose emotions is your main driver." I fetched my things out of my bag. My head snapped up noticing a few of classmates staring at us. The other two picked up on it, scanning the room as to why everything was so silent.
"What's the matter guys?" Fumiko asked bluntly. One of the boys jolted almost like he was snapping out of a trance.
"W-well we couldn't help overhearing your conversation. Did Suzukawa-san actually ask Char-senpai for a duet?" I nodded in response. They all gave a collective gasp, a few leaning in forward to our group.
"A-and? W-what did she say? Are you guys going to perform together? Cuz' that would be awesome. Do you think we have a chance too?" Fumiko shook her head at them, disappointing.
"Do you guys even realize who we're talking about? Char-chan! The Starlight Queen! The second Kanzaki Mizuki-chan. Do you really think that any of us have a chance to sing with her? Especially on something as silly as a request? We would need to win in some amazing audition for that to happen. So no Momo is not performing with her."
"A simple no would have sufficed." I countered. The rest of my classmates resumed their actions with the quiet murmurs of agreeing that I was foolish for trying. That there was no way that any of them had a chance if I didn't.
"See I told you that it was reckless. Even our classmates know their boundaries."
"I do as well. In fact, this form of backing up your statement has only proved that I want to work with her even more. I want to hear her music even more. You've even inspired a new tactic, so thanks for that." I could see from my peripheral view at Shouta shrugging his shoulders to her. She dropped her head going to her seat in defeat.
"Hey Momo-san? You know you kind of have that look on your face of when you were searching for me. Kind of an intrigued image." I raised my hand to feel my face. That didn't really help me to picture what kind of facial expression I was giving.
"I guess you could say that. It really does feel the same. Aikatsu is filled with interesting people. You and Takahashi-senpai alike." I remembered the feeling when I had given my hand to Shouta upon our meeting. That feeling that we were willingly going to try to be idols. "I want to hear more. Why do you song-write? Why does she sing?"
I sat by the bench out in the courtyard. The reason? This was the direct pathway that anyone can get to the Charlotte Cottage. I could have stood outside the gate but that would have been too extreme. Instead I choose to wait for her to finish her schedule. It wasn't too bad as it gave me some time to do some homework and research more about her as I waited.
From her enrollment she has topped the charts. Record labels had already stared to scout her as a potential artist under them. All were turned down at site. She claimed that she had planned to enjoy her time in school as much as she can before thinking about any long term deals. There were a constant stream of articles revolving around her strange antics and accomplishments.
That she would remain the cute idol that people envisioned her to be but would still have key chains representing both stuffed animals and rock-metal bands. That while claiming to be close to her family, no one knows any facts about them. There were barely any pictures of her going out in public. The greatest one being that there was nothing regarding her past.
No past friends or spoken memories that she reflected on. Most people theorize that it was due to Charlotte that there was a range between a few of her actions and image. Though it was never a discussed topic in interviews. No one was actually interested in Charlotte. Only in the way to find what the difference was for the two. Not really in the sense of her personality to establish interview questions. I was practically doing the opposite by proposing a duet with Charlotte above Char. Not that my classmates bothered to question further.
I stood up seeing my target approach me. With one look, she sped up her walk to clearly avoid me. She ignored me, brushing past. "Wait Charlotte-senpai. I'm only here to reason with you."
I continued to walk by her side, trying to match her pace. "I don't need you to reason for yourself. I have no reason to participate with you in a duet."
"I'm not afraid of you Charlotte-senpai." Was all I said to make her stop walking. She kept her back to me, not moving to try and face me. I went to stand in front of her. "This morning you said you knew me. I rebuttal that. The only way for idols to truly get known is through auditions. I've only participated in one so far. You only know of me. Not enough to reject me."
Her eyes twitched seemingly as if she was holding back a glare. "Then what do you suggest?"
"Pick an audition. Any of them. Assess me base on that. You already know about my music abilities so you're free to choose to fit one that can fit your criteria."
"You're not going to give up are you?"
"I think you don't want me to. I'm bad with reading and understanding people but I know that if you truly didn't want to you then wouldn't have stopped walking. It could have been what I said or the fact that you've wanted to hear more from me. You're still listening to me. That's all I needed to see to continue." She sighed taking out her Aikatsu phone. Her finger scrolled quickly.
"How about this one? I was offered it this morning but I'll back out if you try for it." She flashed the screen to me. I skimmed the contents noticing two things. One. The bright colours showed that the audition would require me to be more energetic and 'cutesy'. Two. It was a partner type of audition.
"Is there a problem?" She was really pushing me to the limits with this. From my one audition she could tell the basis of my personality that this was outside of my comfort zone. My cool image didn't fit the theme nor did my lack of relationships help with the needed partner component.
"No. I was just inspecting the contents. An audition to become possible game helpers. A stimulating choice, I must say. It's a strange concept to me, not to say that I won't go for it." She nodded putting her phone back in her pocket.
"Then I look forward to your audition." I bowed to her, letting her past by me. I checked my phone as she had sent me the link to all the details. I scrolled through the small clips of their work. A video game developer was seeking for two dancer models to be the silhouettes in the dancing machine games. Not too hard but focused more on how precise it was, along with the energy to get players interested in the game.
Even through my extensive musical sense, I couldn't get through with purely that. I would have to stand out in some way that would make them even look my way. And judging from the participant count so far, I had about 15 pairs to compete within nine days.
"Please Fumiko! You're the only one I could ask and you know that." I was basically begging Fumiko to audition with me, the moment she came back from her daily night run. When she would probably be too tired to leave slash ignore me.
"No way. I'm not going to help you embarrass yourself. If you don't fit the image then you shouldn't have agreed with her, especially since you need a partner."
"Well that's exactly why she picked it. If I'm going to want to perform a duet with her then I would have to match to her. Yet I can't do that if all people know about me is the brash singer that went to a second year audition. Besides, this will be a great opportunity for you to get out there as well. People are already watching you after winning Charlotte-senpai's manager for the day. There's a saying that you have to strike the iron while it's still hot?"
"Yes, but you've also told me that I should take a break every once in while. And that's exactly what I'm going to do. Being her manager just showed me that she and I are on wayyyy different levels. We're only a month old idols. Can't you collaborate in later years when you actually have a shot? It wouldn't have changed anything. It's not like she's going to lose the title any time soon."
"Not an option. I can't wait that long to hear her reasons. I even started singing in the middle of the plaza to catch Shouta-kun's attention, the first time that we met. Charlotte-senpai is the same." She looked at me with skepticism.
"You did not just say that Shouta is the same as Char-chan. Do you realize how opposite they are on a spectrum from one another? Here's a hint. One of is the shyest person I've ever met in my life and the other is the Char-chan."
"You keep saying Char-chan this and Char-chan that. Not once did you refer to her as Charlotte. Did you realize that?" Fumiko mouth opened a bit before finding the right words.
"T-they're the same person in a way. Does it really matter how I refer to her?" Her confused emotions towards me simmered down at the question.
"Yes it does. Unlike our classmates, you were there when I asked. They're two distinct people. That's how split personality works. In both ways they are the same but not. You shouldn't deny that." Fumiko slowly tilted her head.
"Why are you being so defensive about it? I mean, I get that they are separate but don't you think that you're trying too hard to separate the two?"
"Not really. If they're different then treat them differently. It's simple. From what I see, not many people pay attention to Charlotte. Majority of the people already separated the two yet they're treated the same if it's Char that's standing center." And that leaves Charlotte in the shadows. I read my Aikatsu phone about the details regarding the audition.
"You're really going for this?" I nodded, meeting with her eyes. She puffed out her cheeks a little, dropping her head. "Fine. I'll be your partner."
I immediately smiled, grabbing a few magazines out of my bag. I placed them on my desk spreading them out. "Great! Now these are most of the resources that I was able to pull on such a short amount of time, minus online sites. Established in 2010 the company's CEO had a ch-"
She shook her head, placing her hand on the spread out. "Woah woah girl. Slow your roll. You've trained me before. This ain't gonna work with stats and a history lesson."
I blinked a couple of times, reeling back my memories. "Oh yeah. I guess its a bit distant now that we're actually working together."
She piled up my magazines into one stack and pushed them to the side. "If I'm the one that fits the audition better then I'm going to be leading this time. Meaning no books, no researching a bunch of useless facts, and defiantly no studying. That's not even an choice in my brain."
My mind went flat at the idea that I couldn't study. I always prepared by knowing all that I could. Even for my tests at my old school, I would study the entire textbook even if the teacher said it was only on a specific chapter set. I was already wanting to deny this plan. It was too headless. I was going to be a headless chicken if I was going in without more information than what I had.
"Then what if I study by myself and I just keep it to myself. I won't force you to learn it." I offered in an attempt to negotiate.
"Okay? As long as I don't need to learn it than I guess it's fine? But I'm going to be in charge of our training. You're too stiff. An idol's smile is everything and I barely ever see you do it. We gotta work on that."
"What do you mean? I smile." Fumiko waved her finger in front of me.
"Not enough. Try right now." The muscles of my mouth pointed the corners upwards. "See that's what I mean. Too force."
"Well it's in an abnormal nature to be able to stimulate your zygomaticus major and minor for the sake of it without showing it being fabricated." She face palmed herself, dramatically falling to her back onto her bed.
"This is going to be harder than I thought." 'You and me both.'
"Come on Momo! Come out!" Fumiko impatiently called to me. I peaked out behind the curtain to the dressing room.
"Explain once more what exactly we're doing." She sighed pulling the curtain open. Without giving me time she puled me out. I shyly covered my face not being used to in this kind of position. 'Now I know how Shouta-kun feels half the time.'
"Ugh for the thousandths time, we have to get you more pumped up. A new look can do that." I took a glimpse at the mirror at me standing in the turquoise, knee high dress. Of course I could wear the coords that I needed on stage but that was on stage. This was too bright of a colour for my personal liking. Not to mention the sparkles decorating the bottom hem and the bow around my waist was attracting too much attention.
"And like I've said, I don't understand what you mean by 'pump up'. These two situations and the common use of pump does not seem to apply."
"What she means to say is that you need to get some form of motivation. Here, this will complete the outfit." Snapshot came by, handing me a grey crop jacket, which I gratefully took. I quickly threw it on finding that it was right to trust him with my outfit for today.
"Hayato, I was hoping for something cuter. Something like, not to be typical, but maybe pink or frillier." Fumiko scanned over my outfit, not satisfied with his ideas.
"Momo-chan is cute enough as it is. Besides, models make the clothes not the other way around. Dressing her in pink, frilly clothing wouldn't fit her if she isn't comfortable. It would be out of place." His phone buzzed in his pocket making him check his messages. "I should get going. Rika-chan is waiting for me. Have fun, ladies."
We waved each off, thanking him for taking some time out of his schedule to help us. I shiver at the idea of what Fumiko would have done to me without him. "I wish he wasn't so good at his job cuz' this really suits you."
"He wouldn't be a very good model if he couldn't have an input on his work. I have to admit that bright colours are not usually in my style but this jacket does help with that." I picked up my bag with my original clothes, walking over to the cashier to purchase the outfit.
"Yeah, right? I know you hate to hear this but sometimes I really doubt that you're Ichigo-chan's daughter. If it wasn't for Suzukawa-sensei, I would have seriously questioned where you get your sense of fashion." I playfully rolled my eyes at her.
"I don't really understand what happen either. I did spend more time with Mom than I did Dad. I guess rocker style was a bit more comfortable. Even Amahane-san was shocked when I didn't let her dress me up as a child." I handed the cashier some cash, thanking the cashier before heading out.
"It's weird that you can call Amahane-san so casually. She was Angely Sugar's top designer and one of the biggest influences in cute fashion for years. Even before your mom's era." We walked out of the store having Fumiko take the lead on our agenda today.
"I've known her my entire life. Formalities slipped by me at this point. Even calling Dad and Aunty Aoi by title in school is weird."
"Yeah, why do you do that? Everyone knows about your relationship with them. It wouldn't really make a difference if you call Suzukawa-sensei dad."
"Even if people are aware of it, I don't want the idea of me free riding my way. No one has called myself out for it and I have to maintain that. I'm formal with them when others around, simply because I want to enforce the idea of me being separate from them. I'm going to be the top idol without any special help. And one thing I want to do is perform a stage with Charlotte. Which is why I'm bringing back the topic as to, where are we going?"
"Patience young grasshopper." She said in a raspy tone.
"Why are you calling me a grasshopper? And young for that matter. We're the same age. In fact, your birthday is later than mine. So in reality, you are the 'young one'. Or grasshopper, if you wish to use?" She hesitantly raised her hand.
"N-no, it's suppose to be- you know what- never mind. It's nothing. We are going to... Drumroll please." I continued walking, while watching her.
"You want me to imitate the sound of a drum? For what reason?" Her excitement drained out of her, shaking her head.
"For anticipation. Haven't you ever heard that sound effect in shows? Especially when big news was being announced? Like who's the winner of the audition slash competition is?"
"I have but I didn't know that people ask for it in real life as well. Is that a common thing to request?"
"Yes it is. Sometimes I feel like I'm talking to my grandma. See, this is exactly why I'm taking you to the arcade for the day." She dropped the mystery revolving around our destination, not having anymore fun with playing with me.
"The arcade?"
"You know the place that mainly teenagers and other people-" I cut her off.
"I know what an arcade is and I know that our audition is for game development but it doesn't make sense to actually go inside one. Not only did you waste our week with nothing, you dress me up only to bring me to a dark, loud place with screaming people. It's similar to a club but with the goal of beating a machine in exchange for a prize. I don't understand the fun in that."
"I doubt you even went inside one." I stayed silent not having any personal proof that could deny that. "Exactly. It's the weekend. If we trained this week you would have ruined everything with your stuck up attitude. So we're going to get in touch with your fun side and then we'll do all the dance and singing preparation for the three days. How's that? I can be pretty smart sometimes. That's why I'm in charge of our training this time."
She stopped in front of the neon light filled building. I could already the sounds of the game machines 'dinging' away as people cheered in victory or jokingly cried in loss. "I already regret letting you bring me here."
Fumiko laughed, leading us inside The automatic doors opened for us, leading directly to the front counter. A teenage employee greeted us with a brief run down of the rules and how to win. With changing of our cash for tokens, we were sent off to 'enjoy' our time.
The only game that I wish to try was the dancing machine but that was surrounded by tens of people for the person on the floor. The person relied on the bar behind them support them as their feet worked to press the correct steps. That wasn't what I was expecting. Though I have to admit, they were pretty skillful in keeping up.
"What do you want to do first?!" She shouted over the other noise.
"Leave." I replied monotony.
"Come on don't be like! Here, let's go over there!" She grabbed me, taking my body across the area.
First was target games. Then a few riding games, back to targets, the strange roller coaster stimulation that only increased the amount of Fumiko's screaming. A whack-a-mole game that didn't particularly work well with my level of comprehension of pattern predicting that Fumiko had me play multiple rounds to win her enough tickets for a prize. A pinball machine that had shown signs of obvious tipping over the years and a wide collection of classical joystick controlled games.
None of them particularly peeked my interest. I wasn't necessarily bored but there was surely a difference in the two of our behaviors. Where Fumiko was running around from one thing to the other like a child, I was taking my time to join her. She even attracted a high level of attention from her faint aura of happiness surrounding her. I blended more into the crowd or her unseen player 2.
Only by the time that she felt that had her fill of games did she finally let us leave. I checked my phone seeing that we were in there for, rounding to the nearest hour, five hours. She had lugged a giant dolphin on her back with a proud smile on her face. "Thanks for winning me this."
"No problem, it wasn't that hard." She walked with a small hop in her step that made it a bit worth to put up with the arcade for the time. She reviewed my face beaming a little.
"You look a lot better than when we first went in. Did you have fun? I knew that bringing you here was the good idea. No one can resist the temptation of the arcade."
"Except me. I was more pleased at you being happy at your dolphin. I guess the arcade isn't for me. It was too predictable in the sense that if you were here enough you could win every prize in there within a day. It wasn't really my place to be." She gave sigh.
"I should have considered more about what a bookworm like you would have liked. But everything you do wouldn't hype you up for the audition. Where would you even go to have fun? And please don't say something like the museum or library because I ain't going there."
"That's insulting." I rolled my eyes when a familiar street sign caught my attention. "Actually, why don't we go somewhere I like. Trust me, even you can see the influence that this place has on 'boring' me."
"You actually go to places like this?!" Fumiko yelled over the noise. But unlike the arcade's random noises, she was trying to top the sound of people' cheers and the band's playing.
"Only once! They're good, aren't they?!" I raised my voice for the first time for the day. I bobbed my head to the accompaniment drum to the bass strumming. The lead guitarist noticed me in the crowd, giving me a playful wink. Fumiko looked at the two of us, shocked that I was so at ease with this place.
The Butterfly Effect was the underground party site that I had visited after I had talked to the queens. And since we were in the general vicinity with a Fumiko wanting to experience my definition of fun, I had taken her here. I smiled seeing her jump up and down with the audience. She fitted in like a puzzle piece, somewhat forgetting that I was with her. Or that her dolphin was dancing with her.
Three songs pasted by that we didn't even realize the time spent. The song ended with the last vibration still making its way to the bones of the players. "Thank you everyone! We'll be taking a short 10-minute break and we'll be right back."
The drummer/leader, Koyuki, was the first one to make her way over to us. She gave me a high five and threw her arm over my shoulder in a comfortable manner. Though the adult woman was much large than I was that she had to lead a bit on me. "Didn't expect you to be back so soon, little idol. You should join us for our next stage. Sure you can catch up in 10 minutes."
"No thanks, Koyuki-san. Just wanted to introduce my friend to my kind of place." The band turned to Fumiko who bowed politely having her dolphin slightly hit her head.
"I'm Watanabe Fumiko. Your stage was incredible. I don't usually listen to rock but you guys were so cool on stage that I couldn't help but dance. I can see why Momo likes this place so much. All day she's been a such a downer that this was the first time I saw her having fun. Does she come by often?"
"A chatterbox this one is." The lead guitarist, Kazuya, joked. "Nah Momo only performed here last weekend. Is it going to be a weekly thing of you? Students like you should focus on your studies."
"Like you focused on your studies as a kid." The owner came by with a smile on him. "Thanks for promoting my business, girly. You're always welcomed here. You know once school finishes and all. Have to say that I liked your other clothes better. Not that you don't look nice right now." I pulled on the skirt a little, grimacing at the sparkles.
"I get it. Just experimenting today. Speaking of school, we should be getting back soon too." Fumiko loosely grabbed my sleeve.
"Nooooo, I wanna stay. These guys are so cool. Can't we stay until the end. You were finally being fun to be around." I chuckled at her, petting her head.
"While I do enjoy to hear that I was fun in your eyes, we shouldn't stay past our curfew. Besides now we can actually start our training that you promised."
"Training? You got an audition, little idol?" Koyuki released me returning to Kazuya's side.
"Yeah, the two of us, in three days." I shook off Fumiko who continued to plead at me.
"Well you'll do great. Don't forget about us either. Kazuya's vocal's are no where near yours. Always a spot for you on our band. " Koyuki told me.
"I really hope so. See you guys another time." I waved them bye as I half dragged Fumiko out. I lead the way as she sulked at not being able to spend more time with them.
"That was a big shock. That place was so cool I never would have thought that you would have liked to go there. I thought you would stay away from places like that for the love of your life. I always knew that you were more mature than I was but you total fitted in with those guys." I shrugged.
"They're good people with a nice sense of music. In a way it's similar to the arcade but it's contrast in the purpose. I find that I can relax there." She suddenly held my hands, bouncing in spot.
"That's it! That's the way I want you to act for the audition!" I tried stabilizing my body as she used all of her strength holding onto me.
"You want me to be relax? That seems the opposite of what the pop aspect of the audition." She heavily shook her head.
"No no no! How they got you excited and how you were natural around them. Forget about the idol side of you to just enjoy the scene. You were smiling when you saw me with my dolphin and when the band were talking to you. Unlike me you aren't full of energy all the time but it looks like the simple things are the best things to raise you up. I want you to be as if you were inside The Butterfly Effect." I nodded seeing her reasoning.
"Does that mean I can finally change out of this?"
The three remaining days were lead by me in training. The dances themselves weren't complicated so that beginner players could follow along. There was more of a sense to making sure that the body proportions were in the correct stance. Honestly, Fumiko's advice of trying to find my safe spot was the main point in making it likable.
We stood in front of the audience in our respected school Torte Coords. I peeked to the left side of me at Fumiko. She was more comfortable in this state that had full confidence in her ability to 'pump them up' as she would say. Still a strange phrase to describe things. She gave me a nod, lowering her head to get started. I closed my eyes, clearing my head of all thoughts. I was just going to perform as I always did.
The image of Charlotte playing the piano at the daycare flashed in my mind giving me a rush of buzz. I shot my eyes as the music came on.
Fumiko: Tenohira ni tsukanda yakusoku wa. Fumiko started us off with her higher tone voice
Momo: Eien ni kienai takara mo no. To be contracted by my lower tone voice.
F: Itsuka miageta
M: Sora no kanata ni
Both: Bokura no asu e to michibiku future star. We harmonized for the line as the beat picked up. We took quick steps to match the beat, using our arms to add emphasize on our moves. We hopped in spot then moved to a different spot on the stage.
F: Kimi to tomo ni nagashita namida
Marude yoru wo kakeru ryuusei ne
M: Negai goto ga kanau no naraba
Hitotsu daji na mono wo mamoru yo
F: Kiseki wa guuzen ja nai I spun around to move slightly behind her. Thought I had found the zone that I could I work in, Fumiko's feeling would be the real star of this show.
Doryoku no kesshou ne
M: Donna kurayami ni mo That wouldn't mean that I would become her back up dancer as I used her departing to the side to attract attention back to me.
Utsukushii yume wa aru yo
B: Motto mae e susumou akiramenai kokoro She came back to my side so that we could move in sync.
Kimi to naraba ganbareru
Muda na koto wa nai yo Though I was somewhat taller than her, it didn't change the foot work that we displayed.
Ue wo muite waraou
Ichido kiri no toki dakara
Wasurenai yo egao donna tsurai michi mo
Itsumo kimi ga soba ni iru
Tadori tsuita saki ni
Nani matte you to
Azu wo terasu kizuna wa future star. As the song was coming to an end, we finished with the remaining steps. Finally turning so that when we moved backwards our backs were against one another. And with opposite arms we formed a heart together as the last touch.
I sat on the bench once more in front of Charlotte Cottage. Fumiko nervously paced in front of me, going back and forth from the cottage to the pathway. "Are you even sure that you can meet her here? It's getting late. She's probably inside already. Maybe we shouldn't even be interrupting her on her private time. I'm sure she's tired from her day. We can always talk to her tomorrow."
"Or we can talk to her now, since there she is." I pointed the happy Char skipping her way down the path towards us. I stood up, which caused her to stop. Her head dropping for a second letting Charlotte take over. Her skipping stopped as she walked over to me.
"Good work today Charlotte-senpai."I bowed to her with Fumiko looking as if she forgot to breathe. She stuttered in bowing her head, moving slowly behind me.
"Good afternoon Suzukawa-san, Watanabe-san. I read the good news on my way back to campus. I have to admit, I didn't think you would win from what I previously saw from you. Though I feel your victory was due to Watanabe-san's influence on your performance."
"It was a spontaneous burst from say my performance of Blue Moon by Shouta-kun, if I say so myself."
"I would agree. It was amusing to watch your performance. Congratulations by the way. As first years it's important to put yourself out there in a variety of ways. You've shown that you can handle that." She remained silent looking straight into my eyes. And unlike Fumiko who was cowering in fear by the tension, I kept eye contact.
"So what do you say?" I broke the silence by giving her a prompt to go off of.
"You have peeked my interest as to who you are as an idol. In regards to a duet... I want to propose another trial. If you're willingly to take it."
"Of course. I meant what I said about wanting to perform with you."
"In about a month, Char will be holding her first ever solo concert. Undoubtedly that will be a lot of work to accomplish. So to help her out, why don't the two of you act as special guests? See what Char has to say about you guys up close. There is a difference of how one appears compared to the screen."
"I accept." I said without a second thought. Fumiko pounced on my back, pulling me back a little.
"Wait, by the two of you, you mean the two of us? As in me too? As in I get to perform on stage with Char? Like in real life and not just in my dreams? And you're serious? Not pulling on my leg? This isn't a prank camera is it? Are you in on it Momo? Are th-" Charlotte took one look at her to make her shut her mouth.
"Is she always like this?" She asked.
"You get use to it at some point."
"I rather not. Nonetheless, Char would be handling you, both, from this point on. She is the idol after all. If she says that she likes you guys, then I'll perform with you." Fumiko opened her mouth to question more when Charlotte started to walk off.
In one month, I was going to perform with the Starlight Queen at her own solo concert. Not exactly what I wanted but this was only a step towards my goal.
Trivia: Raichi and Noelle's have two twin children that are about 5 months' year old. Ami was named after Shugo Chara's main character's younger sister Ami Hinamori. Along with her there is Haruki named after Honeywork's character Haruki Serizawa who had an older brother who he admired to a lot (No spoilers).
These two will just be minor characters that won't appear too often but they fit the image of younger siblings that Momo does not have as she does go to help take care of them if needed.