Kira★Kira (Another)
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Here is my first attempt at a fanfict. I've always been a fan of Kira★Kira, I've decided to do one about it. My English and expressions might be a little lacking so I'll be editing/fixing the Episodes whenever I get the time. Hope you guys like it!
[spoil]
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First attempt at a fanfict… I played the original Kira★Kira(and Curtain Call) and was pretty much hooked on the plot of the story, so much so that I was inspired by it to start writing this alternate version of the story. I wrote this not to be read as a book, but rather so the readers could envision it as an actual anime, so I will be giving lyrics references/cues and scene suggestions to help the readers get what I’m trying to get across. (Might be a little confusing as my English is a little rusty, so bare with me) ^_^; Finally, as this story is meant to be an anime, the story will revolve more around the band and their bonds together rather than Shikanosuke and his personal experiences. As such, episodes will revolve around each of the band members, being either commentated by them or written from their point of view, depending on what that said episode is about.
Any feedback is welcome. But no flames, please.
This is my way of saying thanks to Overdrive for making one helluva Visual Novel. So, enjoy!
PS: I’d recommend playing the VN first or listening to Kira★Kira Show Time!! To get an idea of what I’m trying to convey.
PPS: Words in bold Arial are spoken in English, everything else is in Japanese. This IS a anime fanfict.
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Prologue
As the scene fades in, the Manhattan cityscape slowly comes into focus. Tall and foreboding as it may seem, the sunset tints the city amber, warm and glowing…
In a small corner of the city, two kids sat alone on an empty schoolyard, waiting for their parents.
Both seemed to be around the age of 12 and were tired out from their day, and so were quite and unsocial. Yet, as minutes passed, one started humming a tune…
The older kid of the two perked up as he heard it. He recognized the melody, and had grew excited as he did. The sunset outlines his spiky blonde hair and bright eyes he turned around. Forgetting his fatigue, he turned to the raven-haired kid who was still humming:
“Hey, that’s…!”
“Huh? Yeah, you know them?”
“Know them? I love their music!”
And just like that, the two kids hit it off…
Both had been into rock music since they were young, and none of the other kids around them seem to get that. Like all misunderstood adolescents, they slowly withdrew from the kids around them. But that was okay, as long as they had their music. But meeting another who shared the same interests seemed to be a godsend.
But… Just as both friends were just getting to know each other…
Black-haired kid: “You’re moving…?”
Blonde: “Yeah, I have to move to take care of…. something.”
A long pause ensued after the blonde spoke, as though it pained them both to hear those words.
Black Haired kid: “………… Think we’ll ever meet again?”
Blonde: “…..I don’t know…”
Black haired kid: “I see… then, let’s make a promise!“
That day, the two young Rockstar wannabes made a promise.
On the last day, as the sun set into the horizon, just like on the first day they met… the blonde walked out of school alone. As he got to the front gate, he noticed a familiar figure standing by it. The raven haired kid had tears in his eyes.
“Don’t cry, stupid.” came the blonde’s curt reply.
The black-haired kid just nodded and brushed away the tears. Meanwhile, his friend had already started walking towards him.
“You’ll remember the promise?” he asked as the blonde as he was about to pass.
“Of course.”
The way he said it, so matter-of-fact, as though he had all the confidence in the world. That made the raven haired kid smile for the first time since he had heard the news.
“Of course…” he whispered back, as he watched his friend walk out of sight…
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[OP Scene]
[OP Scene]
Song: Kira★Kira (aka ã‚ラ☆ã‚ラ)
Screenplay: Starts up by showing the band’s silhouette in their positions on stage, spotlights flash as if they’re on stage as the vocals start; the characters are then introduced (something similar to the Opening of the VN). Scenes of the band starts flashing by as the song goes on: practice, when they are on tour, street performing, when they are in the garage after the van broke down, etc… snapshots of each band member playing their instruments are slotted in between scenes, guitars strumming, the drums. Kirari will be standing on stage alone holding the skull microphone as the song moves into chorus, then the whole stage is flooded with lights with the rest of the band around her.
On the ending note, the title shows up in bright pink as the band slowly fades to black.
Episode One: Beginnings
Part One: Rocking The Live House
The whole place was pitch black… except for the stage. The only source of light was the lights on stage, bright spotlights flooded the stage as they outline the band’s silhouettes. As the first act continued with their performance, the crowd burst into cheer, crying out they’re name and screaming. The band was good, but not so much so as to invoke such a passionate response from the audience.
“So this is how it is over here, huh?” a confident voice spoke.
The speaker slowly surveyed the frenzied crowd around him. The bright light from the stage illuminates his spiky blonde hair and shows a guitar case slung over his back. He seems to be satisfied with what he has found here… As the figure slowly took in his surroundings and the reaction of the crowd as the first act went off stage, he notices there’s an excited girl standing right beside him. The girl was short, with spiky, all-over-the-place hair, and wearing a pink hoodie. This said girl is now jumping up and down trying to see what was happening on stage, the blonde traces her movements with a wary eye, fully aware that she might slip up anytime… as she surely did, on her way down from a surprisingly high jump, she missed her footing and started crumpling to the floor.
“I knew it!” said the blonde as he reached down to grab her before she was trampled.
The good news was that he managed to grab hold of the girl. The bad news was he could only reach the girl’s hood, so he was practically choking her as he pulled her up from the ground, though the girl didn’t seem to mind.
“Thanks!” said the small figure as she smiled up at the blonde. The hoodie she was wearing now looks battered and torn; her hair looked even more messed up than when he first saw it. The girl didn’t seem to care about that, either that or she hadn’t noticed but her smile stayed the same, and watching her smile, the blonde couldn’t help but grin back.
“You’re welcome, but you probably shouldn’t do that again” he said jokingly.
“Don’t worry! I’m okay. Thanks again for helping me! My name’s Kirari Shiino” said the little figure, beaming at him.
“Vince, the name’s Vince. Nice to meet you and don’t mention it!” said Vince, shouting to make himself heard.
“Vince? You’re not Japanese?” Kirari exclaimed as she heard the name.
As they waited for the next act to come up, the two struck up small talk to pass the time.
“Nope, I just moved here.”
“Heee… your Japanese sounds so natural!” as Vince just laughed in reply.
“Oh look, the second act is coming up.”
“Where? Where?”
*OKAYYY!! We are….we are STAR GENERATION!!! Too Fast to LIVE, Too Young to DIE!....*
As the vocalist screams, the whole crowd immediately bursts into a frenzy, screaming and shouting. This was the band everyone was waiting for. Kirari seems to have been caught up with the crowd mood as well and starts shouting with them. Vince grins as he sees her little figure jumping up and down again, even thought it hasn’t been 5 minutes since she last fell. He moves closer to the front to see better and cheers with Kirari as the band continues on stage…
Song: [Too Fast to Live, Too Young to Die]
The band’s aggressive style, mixed with crowd’s reaction was like a drug, as they played, Vince’s heart was thumping in his chest as the whole live house moved with the rhythm of the band, nothing else mattered then, only the music.
“Haaaah… That was so awesome!!” Kirari sighed as Star Generation walked off stage.
“Yeah, they were amazing!” Vince’s heart was still beating in his chest after that performance. The crowd was still going crazy over them. Yet, Vince couldn’t help but be impressed by them, the band was in sync from the beginning, the lead guitarist knows his guitar well and the vocalist had a voice which worked for the band very well.
“THAT is how a band should sound like!” thought Vince. “Someday… someday I’ll be just like that! No… I’ll be better!”
“Can you wait here? I’m going to get Shika-kun!” said Kirari without looking. Vince was still thinking.
“Huh? Wait!” Vince shouted after Kirari as her words snapped him out of his bubble of thought.
Turning around, he sees her messed up hair squeeze back into the crowd. He had thought of going after her but it would be virtually impossible to find a small girl in this crowd, and he was on a schedule. Slowly, he pulls out his phone to check the time. Seeing the time on the small display… he sighed.
Meanwhile…
Kirari Shiino finds Shikanosuke Maejima standing next to the biggest speaker she had ever seen. Making her wonder if Maejima might have gone deaf after being so close to the music, it was already plenty loud where she was standing, let alone right next to it.
“Are you okay?” Kirari asked as she peered up into his face. Maybe he can still read my lips if he’s gone deaf, she thought.
“Yeah, I’m fine” said Shikanosuke as he quickly moved away from the wall and put on a brave face. Truth was the last band’s performance had really blown his mind and he was not taking it too well.
“What about you? You okay? Looking pretty sexy there.” Indicating that he had noticed her “makeover” since the last time they met.
“That’s because it was absolutely awesome! The music! Bam Bam! Everyone was jumping!” Kirari shouted as she jumped on the spot to show him what she meant.
“I was jumping too. I almost fell too but someone helped me out but pulling on my collar!”
Kirari started demonstrating by pulling on her own collar.
“Okay Okay, I get it. Stop.” Shikanosuke stopped her as he was getting embarrassed. Kirari was pulling at her undershirt too, meaning the he could see right down her back.
“I’m glad you had fun.” he said.
“Yeah, it was so fun! Hey, I became friends with the guys next to me, the one who helped me up! Come on, I want you to meet him!”
†˜What? I don’t think that’s necessary. I’ll just stay….” Just then, another band strikes up a tune.
[Guitar Rifts]
“AHH! The next band is up! I’m going back to my spot. See you later!”
“…Here” Shikanosuke finishes with a bitter smile as she watches Kirari’s small figure squeeze past the crowd. Wondering; not for the first time, if this is how she was or if she was just excited to be here.
Moving back to her place, Kirari looks around for Vince and his spiky blonde hair, but he was nowhere to be found.
“Mo… He could’ve at least said goodbye…” Kirari puffs out as she finally realizes that Vince has already left.
Outside; a lone figure slowly shuffled out of the live café, his movements made awkward by a guitar case. Pulling on the straps to make sure the case wasn’t about to slip, he covered his eyes free arm, the sunlight hurting them after the twilight and darkness of the café.
As he made his way into the bustling crowd on the sidewalks, the figure was still thinking about what he had seen in that café.
“This place is… Interesting.”
*smile*
Part Two: Work or Play?
Kirari Shiino is waiting beside a small restaurant by the road. She’s starting work today at the restaurant, so she came a rushed over right after the club meeting. But, with the way things had been going for her, she was prepared to be scolded at before the day was out. Her family’s financial problems meant she had to take whatever part-time jobs she could find, which meant more often than not, she had to take a job even though lacked the basic know-how of the job itself.
This was one of those times, as she never worked at a restaurant before. She ran most of the way so she wouldn’t be late, but the place didn’t seem to be open yet. The door was locked and there was no noise coming from the inside...
“Maybe they’re in the back.” she mumbled.
Employees aren’t allowed to park at the parking lot out front, instead, having to take their bikes through a narrow alleyway to park at the employee’s parking area. No one was there when she turned the corner, the lot was devoid of vehicles and the only thing alive was a black kitten playing in a corner. She didn’t know what to do. Waiting seemed like a good idea so she just stood there, watching the narrow alley.
5 minutes… 10… 15… and still, no one came…
She was at the brink of tears when she heard a bicycle pull up behind her, she immediately spun around to find a guy walking in with his bike; he had his head down while carefully navigating the bike through the narrow alley as not to scratch it.
“E-excuse me” Kirari stuttered out as the guy lifts his head. “He has kind eyes” was the first thing that Kirari thought when she saw his face.
“Oh… I.. Uh… I…” Kirari blurted out as her mind went blank with panic. “What am I thinking!?”
“What is it?” the guy urged.
As if on cue, Kirari’s mind snapped back into focus and she remembered the first thing that she should do when meeting a new workmate: Introduce yourself.
“I-I-I’m starting working here today. My name is Kirari Shiino! Nice to meet you!” following up her introduction, Kirari bows deeply. She then resumes to stare at her own shoes, not knowing what else to say.
“Ah, so you’re the new employee the manager was talking about…” said the guy, relief and understanding dawning on his face. “How come you’re out here all by yourself? Isn’t anyone in?” he asked while looking into the nearest window.
“Y-yes… there isn’t anyone…” said Kirari, still staring at her shoes.
“I see… guess everyone else is late.” said the guy as he moves towards to door to open it.
*click* *sliding doors*
As the backdoor slowly slid apart, Kirari peered in curiously to find a quaint restaurant with a low ceiling and tightly packed long tables, with cushions for seats. There was a bar for preparing drinks, with glasses stacked behind the counter. The lights were just coming on but Kirari was already feeling welcome at her new workplace, she could almost imagine herself bustling around serving food and drink…
“Sorry about the mess.” Said the guy as they got to the tiny storage space used as a locker slash changing room for the employees. He rummaged in the closet for a bit and pulled out the uniform for the restaurant. “You know you’re supposed to wear pants when you work, right?” he added as he handed her the uniform.
“Yes, I brought a pair with me!” said Kirari, taking them to show him. Her shyness completely forgotten.
“Good, you should change into them, the manager should be here soon… By the way, I noticed you’re uniform is from Ohbi Academy.”
“Uh, yes…” said Kirari, knowing where this is going. The school she went to didn’t allow their students to have part-time jobs, and while she had special permission to do so, people didn’t know that and would always start asking awkward questions.
“But it’s okay! I’m allowed so it’s really fine. Don’t worry.” Kirari quickly put in before the guy started asking those same questions, waving both her hands to emphasize her point and fully aware that her face is turning beet red.
“Haha… That’s not exactly what I had in mind. It’s just you might want to change before you come here as not to catch too much attention. People won’t notice usually but if you come in in your uniform, it might tip them off” said the guy “Besides, I go to Ohbi too, so I guess that makes me an accomplice?”
“Really?” ask Kirari, she was starting to like this guy with his kind eyes and easy-going nature.
“Yup, I’m Maejima. I’m in the third grade. Pleased to meet you”
“Same here! Again, I’m Kirari Shiino, I’m in class 3-A. Very nice to meet you. I’ll do my very best!” Kirari replied with a beaming smile.
A few minutes later, the manager came into the locker room, only to find Kirari already changed and ready. Noticing her school uniform lying by the bench he turns to Maejima.
Manager: “You’re from Ohbi too right?”
Maejima: “Yeah, we’re in the same grade”
Manager: “Oh, same school AND grade… That’s perfect. You’ll be in charge of showing her the ropes”
Maejima: “……”
Kirari was a little worried about Maejima’s reaction when the manager said it but she was also secretly glad he was the one who would be teaching her. He seemed to be a good person to learn from, and his kind eyes didn’t hurt either.
[Cue Kirari’s working montage]
Music plays (Track 6, BGM album) as the scene shows Kirari doing various chores: Her cutting limes and lemons for drinks, cleaning glasses with a serious look on the face (Moe! xD), taking notes as Maejima demonstrates, her flipping over a whole tray of glasses will be the last slide before the lunchbreak, with the sound of smashing glasses as the ending cue.
“So how’s your first day working out for you?” asked Maejima as they ate together during lunchbreak, it was a slow day so they were allow to take their lunchbreak together.
“I’m so touched!” said Kirari, after which she took a big gulp of water. Curry really wasn’t her thing and that was on the lunch menu today.
“Touched?” asked a curious Maejima.
“Yes, I’ve never been taught so kindly before, even after I dropped that whole tray of glasses, the manager just laughed, I thought I was going to get fired, but I didn’t even get scolded at! Everyone’s nice, especially you Maejima-san, Thank you! I’ve never been happier.” With that, she bowed to show her gratitude.
“I’m not really doing anything special… And you don’t have to be so formal when we’re speaking. We are the same age after all.” said Maejima with a smile.
“Yes! Um.. I mean… Okay!”
[Cicadas screeching]
“Thanks for all the hard work!” said the manager as Maejima and Shiino went on their way. The business was going slow so the manager told them to take the rest of the night off, since it was Kirari’s first day after all.
Finding that she was going the same way till about halfway on, Maejima volunteered to carry her stuff on his bike. Kirari was feeling a little awkward. Seeing as it’s her first day knowing this guy, she wasn’t too sure on what to talk about with him.
“So… What club do you go to Maejima-kun?” she asked, noticing that he was looking at her school bag.
“I’m in the tennis clu… Uh, wait. Not I’m not.” He said with a bitter face, as if remembering something unpleasant. “I’m in the Second Literature club(Dai -ni Bun-gei-bu [remember the name ;] ])”
Kirari stopped. “What? I belong to that club too!”
“but… I’ve never seen you at the club before, Maejima-kun..”
“Sorry about that, things got a little hectic so I kinda forgot about it… I didn’t mean to be a sleeping member(?)” Maejima said with an apologetic look on his face.
As she starts walking again, thoughts were swarming Kirari’s mind.
“So he’s a member too, if we had more people we might be able to do something about it…” she thought.
“Hey, Maejima-kun. The Second Literature club… Did you know this is its last year? After the cultural festival, it will be merged with the First Literature Club”
“I see…I’m surprised.”
“So, you see… this will be the last cultural festival for it. For us. We have got to do something that people will remember us by, something memorable! Or else it will be as if we never existed! I don’t want that!!” Kirari was practically shouting now. She had a determined look in her eyes that surprised Maejima, who was used to seeing her being shy and timid.
“But even though I say that, we just don’t have enough members. No matter what we plan, we always end up short-handed, so… I was wondering….”
Kirari starts feeling shy from her sudden outburst and starts poking her index fingers together, unsure if she should go on.
“Yes?” Maejima urged.
“Could you come to the club meetings?” Kirari finally blurted out. “It’ll be more fun with more people in it!”
“ I guess I can’t be a sleeping member forever…” Maejima mumbles after a brief pause... and nods.
“Okay, I’ll be at the next one.”
After saying goodbye to Maejima, Kirari Shiino went on her way with a big smile on her face. Tired and aching as she was, she still managed to hum a random tune as she walked home. She wasn’t sure if it was because of the new job at restaurant itself, her newfound friend, or the thought of planning something big for the Cultural Festival.. but she just knew something new was about to begin for her…
Something… what’s the word…?
Fun. Yeah, that’s it.
[ED Scene]:
Song: Lead to Your dream
Screenplay: As the screen slowly grows brighter, Kirari is standing by the sidewalk alone, at dawn. With a mic in hand she starts singing as the song’s vocals come in. People pass by the screen as the song goes on. Every time a silhouette moves past, another member shows up beside Kirari, playing. Shikanosuke, Vince, Sarina and Chie all show up one at a time. The background also changes and the members are added, moving through the day as it goes, dawn to morning to evening(cloudy), to sunset. The scene pans up to the night sky as the song comes to an end.
[spoil]
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First attempt at a fanfict… I played the original Kira★Kira(and Curtain Call) and was pretty much hooked on the plot of the story, so much so that I was inspired by it to start writing this alternate version of the story. I wrote this not to be read as a book, but rather so the readers could envision it as an actual anime, so I will be giving lyrics references/cues and scene suggestions to help the readers get what I’m trying to get across. (Might be a little confusing as my English is a little rusty, so bare with me) ^_^; Finally, as this story is meant to be an anime, the story will revolve more around the band and their bonds together rather than Shikanosuke and his personal experiences. As such, episodes will revolve around each of the band members, being either commentated by them or written from their point of view, depending on what that said episode is about.
Any feedback is welcome. But no flames, please.
This is my way of saying thanks to Overdrive for making one helluva Visual Novel. So, enjoy!
PS: I’d recommend playing the VN first or listening to Kira★Kira Show Time!! To get an idea of what I’m trying to convey.
PPS: Words in bold Arial are spoken in English, everything else is in Japanese. This IS a anime fanfict.
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Prologue
As the scene fades in, the Manhattan cityscape slowly comes into focus. Tall and foreboding as it may seem, the sunset tints the city amber, warm and glowing…
In a small corner of the city, two kids sat alone on an empty schoolyard, waiting for their parents.
Both seemed to be around the age of 12 and were tired out from their day, and so were quite and unsocial. Yet, as minutes passed, one started humming a tune…
The older kid of the two perked up as he heard it. He recognized the melody, and had grew excited as he did. The sunset outlines his spiky blonde hair and bright eyes he turned around. Forgetting his fatigue, he turned to the raven-haired kid who was still humming:
“Hey, that’s…!”
“Huh? Yeah, you know them?”
“Know them? I love their music!”
And just like that, the two kids hit it off…
Both had been into rock music since they were young, and none of the other kids around them seem to get that. Like all misunderstood adolescents, they slowly withdrew from the kids around them. But that was okay, as long as they had their music. But meeting another who shared the same interests seemed to be a godsend.
But… Just as both friends were just getting to know each other…
Black-haired kid: “You’re moving…?”
Blonde: “Yeah, I have to move to take care of…. something.”
A long pause ensued after the blonde spoke, as though it pained them both to hear those words.
Black Haired kid: “………… Think we’ll ever meet again?”
Blonde: “…..I don’t know…”
Black haired kid: “I see… then, let’s make a promise!“
That day, the two young Rockstar wannabes made a promise.
On the last day, as the sun set into the horizon, just like on the first day they met… the blonde walked out of school alone. As he got to the front gate, he noticed a familiar figure standing by it. The raven haired kid had tears in his eyes.
“Don’t cry, stupid.” came the blonde’s curt reply.
The black-haired kid just nodded and brushed away the tears. Meanwhile, his friend had already started walking towards him.
“You’ll remember the promise?” he asked as the blonde as he was about to pass.
“Of course.”
The way he said it, so matter-of-fact, as though he had all the confidence in the world. That made the raven haired kid smile for the first time since he had heard the news.
“Of course…” he whispered back, as he watched his friend walk out of sight…
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[OP Scene]
[OP Scene]
Song: Kira★Kira (aka ã‚ラ☆ã‚ラ)
Screenplay: Starts up by showing the band’s silhouette in their positions on stage, spotlights flash as if they’re on stage as the vocals start; the characters are then introduced (something similar to the Opening of the VN). Scenes of the band starts flashing by as the song goes on: practice, when they are on tour, street performing, when they are in the garage after the van broke down, etc… snapshots of each band member playing their instruments are slotted in between scenes, guitars strumming, the drums. Kirari will be standing on stage alone holding the skull microphone as the song moves into chorus, then the whole stage is flooded with lights with the rest of the band around her.
On the ending note, the title shows up in bright pink as the band slowly fades to black.
Episode One: Beginnings
Part One: Rocking The Live House
The whole place was pitch black… except for the stage. The only source of light was the lights on stage, bright spotlights flooded the stage as they outline the band’s silhouettes. As the first act continued with their performance, the crowd burst into cheer, crying out they’re name and screaming. The band was good, but not so much so as to invoke such a passionate response from the audience.
“So this is how it is over here, huh?” a confident voice spoke.
The speaker slowly surveyed the frenzied crowd around him. The bright light from the stage illuminates his spiky blonde hair and shows a guitar case slung over his back. He seems to be satisfied with what he has found here… As the figure slowly took in his surroundings and the reaction of the crowd as the first act went off stage, he notices there’s an excited girl standing right beside him. The girl was short, with spiky, all-over-the-place hair, and wearing a pink hoodie. This said girl is now jumping up and down trying to see what was happening on stage, the blonde traces her movements with a wary eye, fully aware that she might slip up anytime… as she surely did, on her way down from a surprisingly high jump, she missed her footing and started crumpling to the floor.
“I knew it!” said the blonde as he reached down to grab her before she was trampled.
The good news was that he managed to grab hold of the girl. The bad news was he could only reach the girl’s hood, so he was practically choking her as he pulled her up from the ground, though the girl didn’t seem to mind.
“Thanks!” said the small figure as she smiled up at the blonde. The hoodie she was wearing now looks battered and torn; her hair looked even more messed up than when he first saw it. The girl didn’t seem to care about that, either that or she hadn’t noticed but her smile stayed the same, and watching her smile, the blonde couldn’t help but grin back.
“You’re welcome, but you probably shouldn’t do that again” he said jokingly.
“Don’t worry! I’m okay. Thanks again for helping me! My name’s Kirari Shiino” said the little figure, beaming at him.
“Vince, the name’s Vince. Nice to meet you and don’t mention it!” said Vince, shouting to make himself heard.
“Vince? You’re not Japanese?” Kirari exclaimed as she heard the name.
As they waited for the next act to come up, the two struck up small talk to pass the time.
“Nope, I just moved here.”
“Heee… your Japanese sounds so natural!” as Vince just laughed in reply.
“Oh look, the second act is coming up.”
“Where? Where?”
*OKAYYY!! We are….we are STAR GENERATION!!! Too Fast to LIVE, Too Young to DIE!....*
As the vocalist screams, the whole crowd immediately bursts into a frenzy, screaming and shouting. This was the band everyone was waiting for. Kirari seems to have been caught up with the crowd mood as well and starts shouting with them. Vince grins as he sees her little figure jumping up and down again, even thought it hasn’t been 5 minutes since she last fell. He moves closer to the front to see better and cheers with Kirari as the band continues on stage…
Song: [Too Fast to Live, Too Young to Die]
The band’s aggressive style, mixed with crowd’s reaction was like a drug, as they played, Vince’s heart was thumping in his chest as the whole live house moved with the rhythm of the band, nothing else mattered then, only the music.
“Haaaah… That was so awesome!!” Kirari sighed as Star Generation walked off stage.
“Yeah, they were amazing!” Vince’s heart was still beating in his chest after that performance. The crowd was still going crazy over them. Yet, Vince couldn’t help but be impressed by them, the band was in sync from the beginning, the lead guitarist knows his guitar well and the vocalist had a voice which worked for the band very well.
“THAT is how a band should sound like!” thought Vince. “Someday… someday I’ll be just like that! No… I’ll be better!”
“Can you wait here? I’m going to get Shika-kun!” said Kirari without looking. Vince was still thinking.
“Huh? Wait!” Vince shouted after Kirari as her words snapped him out of his bubble of thought.
Turning around, he sees her messed up hair squeeze back into the crowd. He had thought of going after her but it would be virtually impossible to find a small girl in this crowd, and he was on a schedule. Slowly, he pulls out his phone to check the time. Seeing the time on the small display… he sighed.
Meanwhile…
Kirari Shiino finds Shikanosuke Maejima standing next to the biggest speaker she had ever seen. Making her wonder if Maejima might have gone deaf after being so close to the music, it was already plenty loud where she was standing, let alone right next to it.
“Are you okay?” Kirari asked as she peered up into his face. Maybe he can still read my lips if he’s gone deaf, she thought.
“Yeah, I’m fine” said Shikanosuke as he quickly moved away from the wall and put on a brave face. Truth was the last band’s performance had really blown his mind and he was not taking it too well.
“What about you? You okay? Looking pretty sexy there.” Indicating that he had noticed her “makeover” since the last time they met.
“That’s because it was absolutely awesome! The music! Bam Bam! Everyone was jumping!” Kirari shouted as she jumped on the spot to show him what she meant.
“I was jumping too. I almost fell too but someone helped me out but pulling on my collar!”
Kirari started demonstrating by pulling on her own collar.
“Okay Okay, I get it. Stop.” Shikanosuke stopped her as he was getting embarrassed. Kirari was pulling at her undershirt too, meaning the he could see right down her back.
“I’m glad you had fun.” he said.
“Yeah, it was so fun! Hey, I became friends with the guys next to me, the one who helped me up! Come on, I want you to meet him!”
†˜What? I don’t think that’s necessary. I’ll just stay….” Just then, another band strikes up a tune.
[Guitar Rifts]
“AHH! The next band is up! I’m going back to my spot. See you later!”
“…Here” Shikanosuke finishes with a bitter smile as she watches Kirari’s small figure squeeze past the crowd. Wondering; not for the first time, if this is how she was or if she was just excited to be here.
Moving back to her place, Kirari looks around for Vince and his spiky blonde hair, but he was nowhere to be found.
“Mo… He could’ve at least said goodbye…” Kirari puffs out as she finally realizes that Vince has already left.
Outside; a lone figure slowly shuffled out of the live café, his movements made awkward by a guitar case. Pulling on the straps to make sure the case wasn’t about to slip, he covered his eyes free arm, the sunlight hurting them after the twilight and darkness of the café.
As he made his way into the bustling crowd on the sidewalks, the figure was still thinking about what he had seen in that café.
“This place is… Interesting.”
*smile*
Part Two: Work or Play?
Kirari Shiino is waiting beside a small restaurant by the road. She’s starting work today at the restaurant, so she came a rushed over right after the club meeting. But, with the way things had been going for her, she was prepared to be scolded at before the day was out. Her family’s financial problems meant she had to take whatever part-time jobs she could find, which meant more often than not, she had to take a job even though lacked the basic know-how of the job itself.
This was one of those times, as she never worked at a restaurant before. She ran most of the way so she wouldn’t be late, but the place didn’t seem to be open yet. The door was locked and there was no noise coming from the inside...
“Maybe they’re in the back.” she mumbled.
Employees aren’t allowed to park at the parking lot out front, instead, having to take their bikes through a narrow alleyway to park at the employee’s parking area. No one was there when she turned the corner, the lot was devoid of vehicles and the only thing alive was a black kitten playing in a corner. She didn’t know what to do. Waiting seemed like a good idea so she just stood there, watching the narrow alley.
5 minutes… 10… 15… and still, no one came…
She was at the brink of tears when she heard a bicycle pull up behind her, she immediately spun around to find a guy walking in with his bike; he had his head down while carefully navigating the bike through the narrow alley as not to scratch it.
“E-excuse me” Kirari stuttered out as the guy lifts his head. “He has kind eyes” was the first thing that Kirari thought when she saw his face.
“Oh… I.. Uh… I…” Kirari blurted out as her mind went blank with panic. “What am I thinking!?”
“What is it?” the guy urged.
As if on cue, Kirari’s mind snapped back into focus and she remembered the first thing that she should do when meeting a new workmate: Introduce yourself.
“I-I-I’m starting working here today. My name is Kirari Shiino! Nice to meet you!” following up her introduction, Kirari bows deeply. She then resumes to stare at her own shoes, not knowing what else to say.
“Ah, so you’re the new employee the manager was talking about…” said the guy, relief and understanding dawning on his face. “How come you’re out here all by yourself? Isn’t anyone in?” he asked while looking into the nearest window.
“Y-yes… there isn’t anyone…” said Kirari, still staring at her shoes.
“I see… guess everyone else is late.” said the guy as he moves towards to door to open it.
*click* *sliding doors*
As the backdoor slowly slid apart, Kirari peered in curiously to find a quaint restaurant with a low ceiling and tightly packed long tables, with cushions for seats. There was a bar for preparing drinks, with glasses stacked behind the counter. The lights were just coming on but Kirari was already feeling welcome at her new workplace, she could almost imagine herself bustling around serving food and drink…
“Sorry about the mess.” Said the guy as they got to the tiny storage space used as a locker slash changing room for the employees. He rummaged in the closet for a bit and pulled out the uniform for the restaurant. “You know you’re supposed to wear pants when you work, right?” he added as he handed her the uniform.
“Yes, I brought a pair with me!” said Kirari, taking them to show him. Her shyness completely forgotten.
“Good, you should change into them, the manager should be here soon… By the way, I noticed you’re uniform is from Ohbi Academy.”
“Uh, yes…” said Kirari, knowing where this is going. The school she went to didn’t allow their students to have part-time jobs, and while she had special permission to do so, people didn’t know that and would always start asking awkward questions.
“But it’s okay! I’m allowed so it’s really fine. Don’t worry.” Kirari quickly put in before the guy started asking those same questions, waving both her hands to emphasize her point and fully aware that her face is turning beet red.
“Haha… That’s not exactly what I had in mind. It’s just you might want to change before you come here as not to catch too much attention. People won’t notice usually but if you come in in your uniform, it might tip them off” said the guy “Besides, I go to Ohbi too, so I guess that makes me an accomplice?”
“Really?” ask Kirari, she was starting to like this guy with his kind eyes and easy-going nature.
“Yup, I’m Maejima. I’m in the third grade. Pleased to meet you”
“Same here! Again, I’m Kirari Shiino, I’m in class 3-A. Very nice to meet you. I’ll do my very best!” Kirari replied with a beaming smile.
A few minutes later, the manager came into the locker room, only to find Kirari already changed and ready. Noticing her school uniform lying by the bench he turns to Maejima.
Manager: “You’re from Ohbi too right?”
Maejima: “Yeah, we’re in the same grade”
Manager: “Oh, same school AND grade… That’s perfect. You’ll be in charge of showing her the ropes”
Maejima: “……”
Kirari was a little worried about Maejima’s reaction when the manager said it but she was also secretly glad he was the one who would be teaching her. He seemed to be a good person to learn from, and his kind eyes didn’t hurt either.
[Cue Kirari’s working montage]
Music plays (Track 6, BGM album) as the scene shows Kirari doing various chores: Her cutting limes and lemons for drinks, cleaning glasses with a serious look on the face (Moe! xD), taking notes as Maejima demonstrates, her flipping over a whole tray of glasses will be the last slide before the lunchbreak, with the sound of smashing glasses as the ending cue.
“So how’s your first day working out for you?” asked Maejima as they ate together during lunchbreak, it was a slow day so they were allow to take their lunchbreak together.
“I’m so touched!” said Kirari, after which she took a big gulp of water. Curry really wasn’t her thing and that was on the lunch menu today.
“Touched?” asked a curious Maejima.
“Yes, I’ve never been taught so kindly before, even after I dropped that whole tray of glasses, the manager just laughed, I thought I was going to get fired, but I didn’t even get scolded at! Everyone’s nice, especially you Maejima-san, Thank you! I’ve never been happier.” With that, she bowed to show her gratitude.
“I’m not really doing anything special… And you don’t have to be so formal when we’re speaking. We are the same age after all.” said Maejima with a smile.
“Yes! Um.. I mean… Okay!”
[Cicadas screeching]
“Thanks for all the hard work!” said the manager as Maejima and Shiino went on their way. The business was going slow so the manager told them to take the rest of the night off, since it was Kirari’s first day after all.
Finding that she was going the same way till about halfway on, Maejima volunteered to carry her stuff on his bike. Kirari was feeling a little awkward. Seeing as it’s her first day knowing this guy, she wasn’t too sure on what to talk about with him.
“So… What club do you go to Maejima-kun?” she asked, noticing that he was looking at her school bag.
“I’m in the tennis clu… Uh, wait. Not I’m not.” He said with a bitter face, as if remembering something unpleasant. “I’m in the Second Literature club(Dai -ni Bun-gei-bu [remember the name ;] ])”
Kirari stopped. “What? I belong to that club too!”
“but… I’ve never seen you at the club before, Maejima-kun..”
“Sorry about that, things got a little hectic so I kinda forgot about it… I didn’t mean to be a sleeping member(?)” Maejima said with an apologetic look on his face.
As she starts walking again, thoughts were swarming Kirari’s mind.
“So he’s a member too, if we had more people we might be able to do something about it…” she thought.
“Hey, Maejima-kun. The Second Literature club… Did you know this is its last year? After the cultural festival, it will be merged with the First Literature Club”
“I see…I’m surprised.”
“So, you see… this will be the last cultural festival for it. For us. We have got to do something that people will remember us by, something memorable! Or else it will be as if we never existed! I don’t want that!!” Kirari was practically shouting now. She had a determined look in her eyes that surprised Maejima, who was used to seeing her being shy and timid.
“But even though I say that, we just don’t have enough members. No matter what we plan, we always end up short-handed, so… I was wondering….”
Kirari starts feeling shy from her sudden outburst and starts poking her index fingers together, unsure if she should go on.
“Yes?” Maejima urged.
“Could you come to the club meetings?” Kirari finally blurted out. “It’ll be more fun with more people in it!”
“ I guess I can’t be a sleeping member forever…” Maejima mumbles after a brief pause... and nods.
“Okay, I’ll be at the next one.”
After saying goodbye to Maejima, Kirari Shiino went on her way with a big smile on her face. Tired and aching as she was, she still managed to hum a random tune as she walked home. She wasn’t sure if it was because of the new job at restaurant itself, her newfound friend, or the thought of planning something big for the Cultural Festival.. but she just knew something new was about to begin for her…
Something… what’s the word…?
Fun. Yeah, that’s it.
[ED Scene]:
Song: Lead to Your dream
Screenplay: As the screen slowly grows brighter, Kirari is standing by the sidewalk alone, at dawn. With a mic in hand she starts singing as the song’s vocals come in. People pass by the screen as the song goes on. Every time a silhouette moves past, another member shows up beside Kirari, playing. Shikanosuke, Vince, Sarina and Chie all show up one at a time. The background also changes and the members are added, moving through the day as it goes, dawn to morning to evening(cloudy), to sunset. The scene pans up to the night sky as the song comes to an end.
