Chapter Text
A nightmare wakes her up, making her jump on the bed and the scenery in front of her eyes changed immediately, finding herself in the darkness of her bedroom. It took her a few seconds to steady her breathing and be aware that everything was just a dream. She folded her knees and cuddled herself, sinking her face between them.
** * * * **
“And then, I felt someone walking behind me… It was a horrible nightmare!”
Yukina raised her gaze and focused on her friend’s face, who was walking beside her with a terrified look, embracing herself and eyes shut tight.
“It was just a dream, don’t worry.”
“Ahaha ~ y-yeah, you’re right. But it felt so real…”
Lisa kept feeling Yukina’s eyes on her and ended up returning her gaze, finding a much more serious expression than she expected. Her friend was not the most cheerful or talkative person on earth, but as Yukina’s childhood friend, she could notice any subtle change in her face, changes that would be the “same as always” for any other person. That’s why she knew it: Yukina was worried about her.
“I-I’m fine!” Lisa replied, immediately “I promise.”
Yukina broke eye contact, but her look did not change one bit.
The rest of the way to high school was spent in silence, something quite common but that stirred up memories of old times in Lisa’s memories that she forced herself to shake away from her head.
"Did you have any rest?"
Yukina's voice broke the atmosphere. The vocalist still stared ahead, raising a hand to greet the energetic girl approaching them.
"Yukiina-saaan, Liiiisa-nee!"
It took Ako just a few seconds to stand in front of them with her typical energy and began to explain something “cool” that her sister had done yesterday. Lisa focused her attention on her younger friend, laughing at each of her gestures and chatter as usual, until she noticed Yukina's intense stare on her.
"Something happen?"
But then the silver-haired girl softened her expression, smiled slightly and was quick to deny.
"Nothing."
“… AND BAAAM! My sister saved me from the grasshopper attack. It was so cool! "
** * * * **
The day went on as usual. The lessons became heavy for Yukina, who had hidden between the school notebooks numerous music sheets for the next song that she was currently composing for Roselia, while her best friend took notes for both of them and then she would dedicate a few afternoons before the exams to explain all the subjects to Yukina. Lunch time was also common, they ate together and exchanged ideas for the band, as well as ideas for recipes; Yukina suggested “honey-flavored cookies,” and Lisa decided it would be her new project.
When they left the school they went to the studio. Both Sayo and Rinko were already in their reserved room and Ako went ahead of her companions to greet her gamer friend, merging into a strong hug with her. Quickly, both of them stood aside talking about the new Neo Fantasy Online event, while Yukina walked away with Sayo to discuss the arrangements for the last song. Lisa walked over to the side, opened up her case to take out the bass and set it up, sitting down to tune it.
The rehearsal began with one of the new songs, Keep Heart , as they had agreed to adjust some of the chords and add it for the first time in a concert. After explaining each of the changes they were going to try, they prepared the instruments and music began to fill the studio.
** * * * **
“That was sooo cool! Sayo-san's guitar sounded like BAAAM and RinRin's keyboard was so… ZOOOOM! "
"You're right."
The vocalist agreed, still with her right hand on the microphone. Then a melody played by a bass began to sound. They all turned their attention to Lisa, who was so focused on the instrument that she seemed not to have noticed that the song ended.
"Lisa?"
The bassist seemed to come to her senses as soon as she heard her name and stopped playing. She looked around, coming upon the watchful eyes of all of her companions.
"What happen?"
"Imai-san… the song… ended… didn't you realize…?"
"Huh?"
The confusion was reflected on Lisa's face and her gaze shifted from her companions to her instrument. She pressed her lips lightly, a gesture imperceptible to all but Yukina, and then she let out a soft laugh.
“Ahahaha ~ sorry, sorry, I didn’t sleep very well tonight and I'm a bit distracted. Do you mind if I go for a coffee before we proceed? "
It was Sayo who was quick to answer, but she shared the same thought with the others. "Of course not, but if you're not feeling well, you'd better go home and rest."
“I-I'm fine, really! I just need a coffee and I'll be fine ~. Does anyone want a drink, too?"
The remaining afternoon passed with total normality, Lisa seemed to recover after the coffee and there were no more incidents, except for common errors, confusion with notes or different rhythms in the tempo, coming from everyone. In the end, they were all satisfied with the results and called it a day.
"By the way." The leader's voice captured the attention of the other members, who turned around to give her their full attention. “We were invited to an event next month. We’ll be the headliners as special guests. I know we have more important things to attend to, but it seems like a good opportunity to perform in another environment."
“Sounds like a great idea! We will participate right, right, RinRin?!"
"Y-yes ... if Minato-san says so ... it's because ... she wants us to go ... I guess." The keyboardist commented. Sayo kept her arms crossed but she did not object, Roselia did not have other important concerts in the near future and it wouldn’t interfere with exam season, so she had no reason to protest. The bassist was also excited, she liked that kind of event.
"Although there are two or three events around that time..." She raised her index finger and placed it on her cheek, looking thoughtful. "Which one are we talking about?"
"Stars."
"It's not a big event, it's meant for new bands looking for some recognition, right?" The guitarist's expression became somewhat doubtful as soon as she knew what it was about. "I suppose they want our presence to bring our audience."
"So is it."
"Wouldn’t that go against our values...?"
"We must participate!" Lisa's voice caught everyone's attention; she didn't usually get in the way when Sayo and Yukina discussed, at least not until she heard all they had to say. It was strange that she asked so vehemently to participate in an event in which not even Yukina had shown great interest.
“It is important that we learn from other bands, no matter how inexperienced they are. They can contribute to something that we are unable to see. We can afford it now that we already participated in the FWF and are still looking for a new goal to reach.”
"If so, that's fine with me."
"Yaay ~! Are you happy, Lisa-nee?" But the drummer got no response. "Lisa-nee?"
"Hmm? Oh yes! It will be so exciting ~."
** * * * **
"... and I was thinking of making curry for dinner..."
"Lisa."
The sun was already setting when Yukina and Lisa were walking back home. Lisa was going to spend a few days alone so she asked her best friend to make her company during that time, especially at night, when she used to get nervous.
"Mhm? You don’t like it? In that case, I can ... "
“That’s not it, I like it. Are you feeling well?"
"Mhm ... I'm tired, nothing else."
Yukina did not interrupt her again, they walked the rest of the path in silence. It wasn’t unusual, they used to walk like that all the time, but that day the air was filled with a pressure that neither of them was able to understand.
"Rice with curry will be fine." Yukina finally said, drawing a small smile. She could see how her friend's eyes lit up and she was suddenly wrapping herself around one of her friend's arms, every inch of her skin radiating happiness.
"I'll make you the best curry you've ever tasted."
"... Lisa ..." her eyes met Lisa’s and she allowed herself to smile more freely. "I’m sure you will."