Chapter Text
October 1, 2022
Saitama Arena, Japan
"Thank you for listening everybody! Did everyone have fun?"
The crowd cheered loudly in a response. Akko grinned, crimson eyes scanning the crowd as she committed the sight to memory. She wanted to remember every person in the crowd, and while she was a forgetful person, she knew she'd never forget this sight! She loved this feeling. The adrenaline rushing wildly through her veins as she poured her emotions into her songs, how playing her guitar felt like she was doing magic that could please the crowd (her crowd!), the feeling of breathlessness when every song ends with the crowd roaring loudly. Frankly, she'll never get tired of hearing that roar, no matter how many times she heard it. In simpler words, it's addicting. This is her life and it's worth it. All the sacrifices she and her family had to go through to make her dream come through, feeling all the anxiety when she posted cover songs and originals on YouTube (she still does feel anxious every time she releases albums or singles) But she believes in herself. Good fortunes are not given but earned after all.
Akko created this all by herself (and with the help of her team of course) with hard work and perseverance, despite having been surrounded by with people who she thought were her 'friends', friends who tried to discourage the energetic 25 year old woman, but the brunette never let it get to her, she knew they were wrong so she only used those comments as her fuel and motivation to work more harder to prove them wrong. Atsuko Kagari was infamous for her stubbornness and unyielding determination despite all the odds are up against her. She wished she could've seen the faces of all her doubters when her first album got the #1 spot on the Billboard 200 chart, with its lead single topping the charts in several countries, including UK, U.S and several countries in Asia
To her left and out of sight of the crowd was her manager, Amanda O'Neill. The twenty-seven year old woman with vibrant orange hair (which Akko had found fascinatingly weird from the first time she saw it, but it was natural, honest!) was most carefree person she ever met and was also a big flirt to every pretty woman she met. For all that, she was surprisingly serious when it comes to her job, Akko reminded herself as Amanda sent her a grin and a thumbs up. "Oi Akko, good job!" she said, voice sounding in the earpiece Akko had on. "Now let's end this concert and start packin'. We got a tight schedule this month so we can't afford to be behind even for a single second." Akko felt a thrill that she got whenever she was just about to do something that was probably going to make her manager angry. But the truth was, she didn't want it to end, at least not without a final song. And she had one song in mind.
"You guys have been here for almost 2 hours already and honestly? I don't want to say good bye yet, do you guys feel the same way?" she called out, voice booming through the stadium, and the crowd roared wildly yet again, letting Akko know they definitely agreed with her words. "How about one last song before I let you guys go? It's not part of the album but this song was actually a single that was supposed to be released on October 1, which is coincidentally today, but was scraped off by a person who we all know and love." The brunette sends a wink to a blushing (and most likely fuming) orange-haired woman as she laughed with the crowd.
"But you guys need to promise something though." she said, her entire demeanor growing almost somber, voice firm and serious. Her fans, however, couldn't miss the hint of a smile on her face. "Promise me ya'll are gonna keep quiet throughout this song. You can still take videos and whatnot, that's an a-okay on my book, but please, let's make this usually noisy stadium be the quietest stadium, so that the people outside are gonna wonder what's happening in here." Akko chuckled, eyes scanning the crowd only finding confusion and wonder. 'They're totally gonna love today's tea.' Akko thought with a wide grin.
"Oh, and please turn your phones off or put them on silent mode if you wish to take a video so there will be no interruptions. I promise you guys are gonna love this song and probably (read: definitely) flood me with tweets on Twitter or any other social media there is asking me what this song means, but I know ya'll are smart enough to figure it out. You guys okay with that? If you say yes, just raise your thumbs up." The crowd instantly raised their thumbs up in response, some phones already recording the situation.
Glancing around the stage, she found Contanze pushing a large, wheeled piano, towards the center of the stage. With a grateful nod to the shorter woman, Akko turned to the crowd yet again, finding faces filled with awe and surprise. Who knew Atsuko Kagari knew how to play a piano? Which is definitely more complicated than solving a Math problem that's for sure.
"We'll have a 5 minute break for me to prepare and for Cons to tune the piano if it sounds off. Oh and one more thing." Akko paused, doubt starting to worm its way into her brain. What if she'll never hear it? She's busy with her 'duties' since she is the heir of a 1,500 year old family full of aristocrats and famous line of every professional job there is, specifically jobs that expertises in Medicine. Akko mentally shook herself. Would she let that stop her at? No. She will hear it. Akko had faith as her friend and as her...as her...a wave of sadness swept through her as she was reminded herself that she honestly didn't really know what their relationship actually was. But she couldn't let that distract or stop her!
With a newfound vigor and purpose, she continued talking. "In every concert, I'll be singing songs that are not included in the album, just like today. They might be covers but will probably be original songs that I or the team decided not to release. Something for you look forward to, and to ,of course, see my beautiful face up close." Laughing as she blew a kiss at the crowd, the brunette left the stage, only to run immediately into a furious Amanda.
"What in the fucking hell are you doing Akko?! We're already behind schedule! You do realize we have to catch a plane at 5 in the morning, which, need I remind you, is a 5 hour flight, and an interview almost immediately after we land?!" Ignoring the seething orange-haired woman, Akko went straight to a worried Lotte, her PR handler and her dear friend, only to find her offering a bottle of room temperature water with a reassuring smile. The crimson eyed woman quickly drank her water, giving Lotte a soft spoken 'thanks' after emptying the water bottle. As the brunette was about to return to the stage, a hand on her forearm suddenly pulls her back backstage.
"Akko listen to me! We can't let the fans hear this! What if she hears it? You already know that she doesn't want to do anything with you anymore! I'm doing this for your sake, Akko." Amanda blurted out, worried green eyes staring at her own.
"I know what I'm doing Amanda. And if she does see and hears this song, that's good because that's what I'm trying to do here! So please, trust me just this once. I-I miss her..." Akko pleaded, her stance tight and rigid, face void of any emotions. "And if the boss gives you a hard time, just say it's all on me and you got nothing to do with this. You yourself know that once I start doing something, I intend to finish it." Neither of the two yielded, as they stood there, as if they were having a silent conversation with their eyes. "She's serious about this" Amanda realized with a sigh. She gave a curt nod as she frowned. "Fine, if you're so dead set on going down, we might as well go down as a team. Everyone get in position." Giving a grateful smile, the brunette ran back to the stage only to find the people she considered as family still silent like a rock. Akko gave a short, impressed whistle. "Wow, you guys are seriously quiet. Who knew?" she said teasingly, making the crowd laugh with her, but it quickly silenced as Akko placed her pointer finger over her lips, shushing them.
"Okay, so this song is called After You. As you all know, I'm an outgoing person by heart and talkative too. But for all that, I am still a very private person, especially with things that concerns with personal matters. This is a very personal song and I'm willing to share this all with you since I do consider you all as my family. I'm trying to be vague but I know you guys can figure it out after I sing out the first verse." Akko grinned, sitting down on a stool, placing her fingers over the keys then pressing them down softly, making a very soft yet quiet melody. Its sound filling the quiet stadium like a blanket, embracing the people who were lucky enough to hear it live with a familiar warmth that they felt when Akko sang ballad songs, which was a rare occurrence... they were not really Akko's forte.
Bass notes are heard throughout the stadium, and everyone in the crowd kept their lips shut tight, just as they promised. Akko closed her eyes in deep concentration, her fingers flying over the keys softly as if she was cradling a newborn baby. With the most softest voice she could muster, she sang the first line with ease.
"Is this all we get? One short life
Tell me we got time
I saw a world without you there
Somehow, you were mine"
April 30, 2013
A cafe somewhere in London
8 years ago...
It was the moment Akko saw the most beautifully made woman she had ever laid her eyes on. "Props to the higher beings up there for giving me a chance to see someone that beautiful" Akko cried dramatically. The beauty in question was dressed in a black pants, a gray long sleeve shirt, and white sneakers, her platinum blonde her with tea-green highlights was kept in a loose ponytail that screamed of class and refinement.
Now, why was Akko in London, you ask? Well, tomorrow, at exactly 5 in the afternoon, was her first ever live concert in her career. The 19 year old woman was still new to the Music Company of Shiny Entertainment founded by Ursula Callistis, formerly known as Chariot du Nord. It was still a small company with only Akko as its soloist but the brunette had faith that it would be as famous as Cromer Entertainment founded by Croix Meridies.
Averting her eyes from the classy blonde woman, she found herself staring at where Amanda was talking with an auburn haired woman, talking. She was wearing the same clothes as the blonde woman but with a gray shirt and a black Adidas. 'Sure, she's pretty that's for sure but the blonde woman is way prettier and classier.' Akko thought. 'Plus, I think Amanda has eyes for her. Hmm, very interesting...' Akko grinned to herself. Finally, something she can tease the cocky American with.
"And no, please don't go
Please don't go and leave me alone"
Looking back at the blonde woman, she found herself staring at the most mesmerizing blue eyes she had ever seen. Not like the blue sky she always stares at every morning when the brunette feels down, or the color of the paint fading off of the house right next door, or even the tiny flower she grabbed at a palace where she met a woman just like her, a head full of platinum hair with tea-green highlights. Her eyes were blue like the ocean, mysterious and dangerous, yet full of wisdom. Her blue eyes held warmth like a fire on every winter seasons that gives a homey feeling similar to what Akko feels when she sits near the fireplace drinking her hot sugary chocolate drink while surrounded by friends. Her blue eyes drive the bad memories away on that winter night when a blanket of snow enveloped her being, feeling unwanted and vulnerable. Her eyes were intense but soft. Her blue eyes were addicting, but she had to look away.
Coughing, the 19 year old woman finds herself unable to look at the blonde woman with hypnotizing blue eyes again, her cheeks blushing but not so visible unless you stare (which is what the person in front of her is doing by the way). Her crimson eyes darting across the homey cafe, completely avoiding the unnamed woman. Eyes landing on her worn out brown Timberland boots that she suddenly found it quite interesting, she looked up to find the American smirking at her. Oh man, here comes the untamed lion.
"Y'know Akko, it's considered rude not to acknowledge my friend's dearest best friend, who is standing right in front of you. How about you introduce yourself?" Amanda said, that smirk still visible across her face. Right at that moment, Akko is definitely sure she has a tomato for a head.
"Don't wanna give my heart to someone new
Won't be anybody after you
And even if one day, our time is through
Won't be anybody after you
After you
I'll never find another lover after you"
Grumbling, the newly contracted singer decided to comply with what the lion (read: devil disguised in a human body) said. She extending her hand, which was shaking slightly with nerves, and started talking, she couldn't stop, the words leaving her mouth in a breathless rush. "Hi my name is Atsuko Kagari but you can call me Akko, nice to meet you! Did you know that you're really beautiful? You probably knew that already but I just want to say that you're the prettiest woman I have ever seen in my entire-"
A soft finger pressing against her lips cut her off, and she blushed even harder, though she hadn't thought that was possible.
"Thank you." The pretty blonde woman shyly said, a blush burning through her cheeks. Clearly embarrassed, she turned her head to the side, averting her glistening blue eyes from unwanted onlookers, especially to the woman who was standing right in front of her, while tucking a stray of blonde hair behind her ear. Oh god, seriously? How could a simple gesture affect her in such ways that even she couldn't explain? "I uh.." She pauses, as if she was contemplating on what to say next. Accepting the forgotten extended hand, she continued. "My name is Diana. It's nice to meet you."
"I won't be able to move on, baby
I won't be able to love nobody else
So if you go, won't you take me with you?
Don't leave me alone"
October 1, 2022
Saitama Arena, Japan
Akko then stopped, letting her fingers linger on the keys, melodic notes fading away until silence was the only thing present on the stadium. No words were exchanged, not even a murmur was heard. She didn't give a single glance at the crowd, as she knew that they were surprised, awestruck and confused.
After a minute, her fingers started to press the keys yet again. She started singing again, more softly, her voice heartfelt.
"I don't wanna give my heart to someone new
There won't be anybody after you
And even if one day, our time is through, whoa
Won't be anybody after you
After you, oh, after you
I'll never find another lover after you"
Like the final note fading into the quiet night, Akko felt her own energy and resolve dissipating. The listening crowd was still silent, mouths agape like a fish. If it were some other situation, Akko would definitely laugh and tease them endlessly about it. But unfortunately, it's not. Desperately grasping some at the remnants of her depleting confidence, she continued. "If you're listening to this, I just want to know why you decided to break up with me, and honestly? I don't blame you." The brunette paused, standing up. Every step across the wooden stage, sent shockwaves throughout her body, her emotions accumulating into one jagged mass, until it broke without her knowing how to stop it. Pools of tears suddenly sprang out of the corner of her eyes, shocking the viewers.
"I... It's unfair. You didn't even spared a single thought of what I feel, or what I think about it." she said with a bitter chuckle, voice full of remorse and hatred for her own selfish desires. "I just want to say that I'm sorry and I-I forgive you." Akko's voice cracked at the end. Attempting to lift up the heavy mood, the brunette faked a smile with tears still streaming down her face. "Thank you for the wonderful night everyone and good night!" The brunette then left the stage in haste without looking back, not hearing the confused and angry wails of the people who she called as family.