"Ouch."
A large thud followed by a yelp broke out in the quiet park. It was almost sunset, and the skies were dyed a beautiful shade of orange and yellow. While most people would be resting at home by now, Takahiro practiced in the park. Don't just ask him to do a new solo song out of the blue, he only just got back. Couldn't you have at least given him the message sooner? But Kouta's words are absolute.
He pulled something out of the mess on the ground. "This definitely won't do."
It's a well-written song. But it's average at best.
A year has already passed since RAY debuted. Mediocre songs like this will damage the group's image. Also, he doesn't want to sing a song like this. He wonders when it was, when did he take being an idol seriously; since when did he start to pursue a path that was entirely unlike him.
.....
-----
Two years ago, in 2033.
"What are you guys doing? We have practice."
"Take it easy for a bit Taka."
"Right, were guaranteed to win anyway."
How can they win if only a few of them cooperate? A deep sigh escapes his lips. Forget it; he will do enough practice for the strength of the whole team. The championship should be there's. If they win, he will get that high school scholarship.
"The words you were just about to say fell softly onto my fingertips."
Huh? This voice ---
Takahiro finds himself turning around. He didn't know what made him do this. But he did. "Hey, what are you watching?"
"Oh, now you're interested."
"Budge over," Takahiro said impatiently.
There stood a girl with mid-length black hair on stage. This is, "It's the semi's before the Goddess4 finals." His friend told him.
The Goddess4... "This girl?" Takahiro asked.
"Terashima Lila."
------
Present Day.
Just listening to that voice once made him throw away the championship. He threw it away, didn't get the scholarship, left the team to take responsibility and --accepted Kanehera Kouta's offer. For a while now that guy had been looking around for teammates. He should have been looking for someone in his school to form a team, and yet that guy stood around where all the middle schools were, and promoted every day. At the start, he just went past by him like every other person. But before he knew it, he found himself, searching for him.
Come to think of it when he abruptly came that day.
....
----
2033
"It was about time you came," Kouta said.
Takahiro looked at him puzzled, "Huh?"
"You didn't get the hint, why I chose to stand in this place?"
"Err...what, for me?" Takahiro said uncertainty filled his tone.
"You're a moron I see. Well, I know you'll be a star..."
-----
It turned out, the person who had been asking around about him was Kanehara Kouta. Takahiro never understood exactly what Kouta saw in him. He never showed interest in music prior or even displayed a hint of skill, in any event, he could have passed. But, Kouta sounded so confident with himself. He never really understood that. That person's voice made him change his mind; he didn't think he would get to meet her so soon.
He should have stopped Mikami for being too straightforward about it; about asking her to be Ray's composer. If he did something different.then, he should have spoken up, even after all that. He summed up some courage, to see her and apologize. His thoughts break of catching a glimpse of someone running. She stops upon seeing him.
Mid-length green hair was wearing a thick, bubble-like parka of neon yellow and light blue. Three pins are sewn to the lower right, while the orange string strewn through the hood. Two split layers of the skirt included, one portion orange with gold letters and triangles, the other is white with yellow and blue different style triangle. A strap hangs from each hip, one blue, one yellow, both with triangles of hot pink and the alternate color — sneakers with three Velcro straps and a white bottom accent by stripes.
Oh. It was his childhood friend, Kobayashi Ruka.
"Practice?"
"A little. Running?" Takahiro asked.
Ruka nodded, "Yeah, there's the tournament coming up and also the Dream stars."
"You're entering? You'll be busy with the tournament?" Takahiro referred to the upcoming soccer tournament.
"It's okay; I'm used to multi-tasking by now!"
"Well yeah.."
But, isn't it difficult? Balancing both sports and music? For him to be able to get the music scholarship, he stopped practicing. He's still able to do some things now. But any complex skill he had before, has already left him. The fact Ruka can multi-task like this impressed him.
"Oh, it's Arin.." Ruka suddenly said. Takahiro followed Rukas gaze and spotted blue hair.
"Arin? You two are close."
"Not exactly, but Yumeko's fond of her, and I'm trying to get the girls in our circle to warm up to her. So I thought nicknames would work."
"Uh…"
Ruka's way of thinking is way too simple. In the first place, the reason the girls in your circle aren't fond of her is due to the girl's beauty. A mere disguise cannot conceal Lila-chan's air of elegance and her composed manner. Adding her beauty on top of that. She's popular with the guys. The girls in your circle don't like that sort of thing. Even though Ruka-chan and Yumeko-chan are pretty, they are accepted. Since Ruka has sports and Yumeko-chan is too loud for anyone to like her.
Takahiro thoughts broke off, upon seeing the girl slump by the fountain.
The two of them rush over.
"Woaaah! Arin? Are you okay?!"
"Ari-chan?"
Lila replied, "Ah, Takahiro-kun, Ruka-chan..I'm fine, um...do you know...how to get to senpai's place from here? I've only ever gone from school, so I feel a bit confused…"
".." Takahiro is speechless at the words Lila just said. Is she going to see Karashima-san? In that condition of hers? Ruka too seemed shocked.
"Ari-chan, maybe you shouldn't.."
Lila shook her head, "No! I have to see him...I don't want him to misunderstand."
….....
Ruka still tried to persuade her, instead of doing the same. Takahiro offered to take her on his bike, "I'll bring you by my bike."
Ruka was speechless. Don't give him that look, he knows already.
Lila weakly responded, "Okay...thank you."