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On a sunny afternoon, Sayo and Lisa were together in Sayo’s room. There wasn’t anything particularly planned for today with Roselia or themselves. It was just simply wanting to be together. An understanding that sometimes, just the simple things is enough to make the day enjoyable.
Not much was said to each other outside of simple chatter. It was mainly quiet. The only noises can be heard from the grind of a pencil on paper and the flipping of pages from magazines.
Sayo was at her desk, working on homework and staying ahead of the game in terms of the curriculum. As expected of a diligent model student. Meanwhile, Lisa was sprawled on Sayo’s bed with a magazine open and others scattered around. Normally, Sayo would scold Lisa on making a mess of her bed, but she learned that it wouldn’t mean much. Lisa is just too comfy on the minty cool girl’s bed and she’ll make a mess sooner or later.
The creak of a chair and the rhythmic tap of a pencil signifies Sayo was stuck on a problem. The screech of the bed let’s Sayo know, Lisa was repositioning herself or looking for another magazine.
“Sayo~”
“What is it Lisa?”
“How much do you love me?” Lisa asked with a bit of nonchalance, still flipping through her magazine.
“I don’t think it can be quantifiable.” Sayo answered neutrally.
“Well, do you know how much I love you Ms. Smooth?”
“I imagine it’s a lot.”
“Infinitely a lot.” Sayo’s cheeks show a tinge of red. Sayo can’t see it, but she can sense Lisa having her cat like grin right now. She probably knows her words had an effect.
Lisa's eyes skim over the contents of her magazines. On autopilot almost, as she tries to find something interesting to take a deeper dive into. Continuing her read, Lisa reaches the college section of the magazine. It encompasses a wide variety of topics, like different offerings from each university, student life, dorm life, current trends, romance, etc. Being their last year of high school, Lisa pondered what would happen to Roselia and what would happen to her and Sayo.
It already was inconvenient that they don’t go to the same school. A lot of time and events wasted there. Going to university could cause the same issues. Lisa doesn’t like that idea. She wants to go to the same university as Sayo, but she doesn’t know if she can. She still isn’t too sure what she wants to do, though she knows there's a few areas that has her interest. Even if she did, she wasn’t sure her academics is good enough to go to whatever university Sayo chooses. Sayo could probably go to whichever she wants being a top student.
With Roselia, Lisa does not know what will happen. Yukina will continue her pursuit of music. Which in turn would mean Lisa herself will support Yukina. Sayo is just about devoted as Yukina so Sayo might take the same path. So thats two people Lisa will support by their side. With Rinko and Ako, Lisa wasn't too sure what they intend to do. Ako being two years their junior makes her the bigger enigma.
Lisa racks her brain around the predicament, not focusing on her magazine anymore but with a blank stare.
“Sayo.”
“Yes Lisa?”
“What do you want to study for at college?” The question stops Sayo from her task. For a moment, Sayo looks at the wall then she gets back on track and continues her work.
“I’m not sure myself. There’s some unknowns that makes a concrete answer hard to come by.”
It was an odd answer for someone like Sayo who seems to always know what goals she needs to achieve. But the reality of it is that she truly isn’t sure as mentioned. Sayo could do anything she puts her mind to without question. She puts in the time and work to produce the best results. But that also stemmed from her internal problem of being compared to Hina. It’s not what it used to be anymore as Sayo learned to accept it and just be the best version of herself she can be. But before then, Sayo would always move from one thing to another because Hina would always try to do what she does.
It was hard for Sayo to stay committed to something for so long. Stuck in a seemingly endless cycle of searching and discarding. There wasn’t anything she done that would bring happiness to her. Just a momentary happiness before the sting of depression and reality hits once she realizes that it too, would be taken away. A never ending search for some form of light, a thin string of hope, in an empty expanding darkness. Sayo feared her path in life but accepted, knowing it’s the one truth she had going. Always alone, always looking, always reaching for something that wasn’t there. Till Roselia happened. Till she met her bandmates. Till she met Lisa.
The second issue comes from Roselia. Sayo has no doubt that Roselia is as close to a professional band as you can get for high school students. It was reinforced by the constant support from fans and analysis from pundits. Yukina definitely has that professional singer air about her and that’s more than likely will be her life path. If the time arrives to make a decision, will Roselia go pro? Or will they split and go their separate ways? Sayo wouldn’t mind being a professional, but what about Lisa? Out of the five, Sayo feels that Yukina, Ako, and herself are most likely to be fine with being pros, but Lisa and Rinko might have different feelings about it.
Then again, Sayo knows how Lisa wants to be there to support Yukina whatever path she chooses. So it's likely Lisa will follow along. Rinko would be there with her new found confidence in her keyboard skills. Which would mean that there's a good chance that all five would be going pro together. Something Sayo has no qualms with.
If one were to leave then Roselia as a whole would have to disband. A promise made to them by them that they will only ever play together as a band. Nobody can be replaced. The combination of the five is perfect. Nobody else can replicate the synergy, the sound, the bond that they all share as Roselia.
That unknown of Roselia is the big question for Sayo in terms of what she chooses. But for right now, she just knows she will be going to college after graduation. And Roselia will continue as is for now. The band will have the conversation about their future at some point and it’ll happen when the time comes. From there, she’ll figure out what she wants for her future. Heck, she already has practice in management and finances being the one in charge of those responsibilities, so maybe she does have something to lean towards. There’s the possibility they might both go pro and tackle college at the same time. A challenge, but a challenge Sayo deems doable.
“I want to go to the same university as you Sayo.” Sayo’s thoughts were broken up. She listens to Lisa while still working. “But I’m not sure if I have what it takes to get accepted to the university you go to.”
“That’s nonsense Lisa.” Sayo stated firmly.
“I mean, you’re so smart, you can go to the best of the best universities Japan has to offer.”
“You can make it too. I’m not particular to going to the best or not, just if the university has what I want to study.”
“But you don’t know yet.”
“So there’s no need to go the very best. I can make the best of whatever university I choose.”
“….even so, we can still do what we can to meet up if we go to different universities.”
“Lisa.” There was a more resolute tone from Sayo, getting Lisa’s whole attention.
“Lisa, your academics isn’t anything to belittle. Your grades might not be the best, but they’re still solid enough. Beyond just grades, you are part of the dance and tennis club. You perform very well in both and recommendations from your advisors can carry weight. You also help out other clubs too, so I doubt there’s anyone who won’t have a positive view of you. Your home economic skills can challenge the best. Cooking, baking, sewing, you have high skills there. You work part time and are also a part of Roselia. To be able to balance those with school is no simple task. Your resume is very impressive when you see all of that. And it reflects an amazing person that can bring some versatility that some universities like to see. Any university would be lucky to have someone like you attend. If anything I-“
Sayo stopped when she felt Lisa hug her from behind. Lisa buries her face into Sayo’s hair, no question hiding her look of embarrassment. Sayo can feel choked breaths on her head. A pair of hands then hold her cheeks and makes her look up. Lisa was beaming in happiness to hear Sayo compliment her so much, it looked like she was crying if you didn’t know any better.
“You’re really the best you know that.” Lisa plants a kiss on Sayo. It was brief, Sayo broke off the kiss.
“You know, it’s a bit uncomfortable kissing like this.” Sayo rubbed her neck, indicating the position was straining her neck.
“Sorry, it’s just, you really do know how to make someone feel special. And you said it so casually.”
“I only spoke the truth. I do not lie.”
Lisa laughs, Sayo was still speaking so straightforwardly, sometimes she wonders which version of Sayo she likes best. Feeling the love, Lisa sits back down on the bed and leans back on her hands.
“So, should we live in a dorm together or an apartment?”
“I would prefer an apartment if you don’t mind.”
“Oh~, I guess we do need the privacy.”
“I-it’s not like, well yes, but it’ll let us play our instruments and not get complaints.”
“Mmhmm~, sure. Noises from our “playing”.” Sayo began to grow flustered to Lisa’s teasing. How the roles reversed.
“Ahem, if we do live together, then I suggest we find one together that is in an ideal spot for our responsibilities outside of school. A bonus if it is close to campus.”
“Kay kay, let’s make some time for the search in the future.” Lisa said cheerily.
Sayo calmed herself on the outside, but on the inside she was running in a frenzy with the thought of living together with Lisa. They’ve stayed over each other’s houses and slept together and such. But to be in the privacy of their own home, being together no matter the time of day, being able to relax in each other’s comfort, coming home to each other’s presence, it was a dream come true.
It was also something that bothered Sayo. Just as much as Lisa wished, Sayo wished they went to the same school. Of course, Sayo never thought their fates would be intertwined together back then. Unknown to Lisa, Sayo was willing to forgo the top universities and go to whichever one Lisa wanted to go to. Lisa might protest, but Sayo can also be stubborn as she knows too well. Of course, Lisa being willing to put in work to get into a top tier college is a plus. Now with Lisa letting out that she shares the same sentiment, Sayo is happier that they will be together more than they have. But before that, there was something more immediate to take care of.
“Okay Lisa, in order to ensure we go to the same university, I’ll tutor you and raise your scores up.”
“Cool, I’m sure a bit of an increase won’t hurt.”
“A bit? No, Sayo Hikawa does not half ass things. We’ll shoot you straight to the top!” Sayo stood up and began to pace around formulating a plan of attack.
“Wa-wait, hold on a minute Sayo.” Lisa was getting scared at the sudden vigor in Sayo. That determined energy could only mean one thing and Lisa does not want to go through any study boot camp.
“I’ll devise the study schedule, we can-“
“Sayo!”
“What is it?” Sayo’s momentum was stopped.
“I really really appreciate it, but you think you could kind of just take it easy a bit?” Lisa tries to get Sayo to calm down and think a bit more rationally. Explaining that she really doesn’t need to go to the extremes and get the best scores, reiterating all the points Sayo mentioned earlier.
“I see. I guess it’ll make more sense to see some improvement instead of a full jump to the top. I apologize for my behavior.” Sayo said, a bit resigned.
“It’s okay Sayo. Come here you lovable dork.”
Lisa spreads her arms out, welcoming a hug from Sayo. Sayo shakes her head at her needy girlfriend and goes to give her a hug. They fall down onto the bed in each other’s embrace. It was real comfortable, so much so, sleep came knocking, making the two feel drowsy. But before a nap could claim them, Lisa asks one more time.
“Are you sure I’m not jeopardizing your future?”
“Lisa, there is no future if you’re not in it.”
Lisa’s eyes widen. She quickly buries her face into Sayo’s chest. Her body was shaking.
“Lisa?”
“Seriously, how are you saying this stuff with such a straight face?”
“Heh, I only speak the truth.”
Lisa weakly hits Sayo on the side. Right now, she wants flustered Sayo back before smooth Sayo kills her.