Chapter Text
Mafuyu has never been a fan of parties.
Generally, she would never even go to her classmates’ homes, celebration or not.
The girl fidgets with her collar, the air becoming increasingly stuffy, to the point she felt she may choke.
Leave. She thought, she begged. I need to leave.
“Asahina-senpai?” A voice called from behind her, and Mafuyu quickly turned around, praying that she was smiling as usual.
“Hello! Ah- Kiritani-san-?” Mafuyu hummed, slightly taken aback. “You’re here as well-?”
The idol nodded. “You look... unwell. Is something wrong?” She frowned, eyes laced with concern.
“Ah-“ Mafuyu exhaled, realising her prayers had been left unanswered. “Well-“ she nervously laughed. “...I’m not really a fan of crowded places.”
“Hm, I see...” Haruka pondered. “Come with me, we’ll go outside for some fresh air.”
The purple haired girl quickly shook her head. “No, no! It’s fine. You must be busy with some friends of yours.”
“No, not at all.” The junior assured. “I’m only here with a classmate of mine, and she seems to be busy with a few friends right now... So I don’t mind accompanying you!”
“Are you sure?”
“Positive.” Haruka beamed. “It’s more preferable to getting asked... uncomfortable questions about my work ethics by some of the people here.”
“Ah- of course. I understand.” Mafuyu smiled along, realising Haruka was just likely looking for an excuse to leave the building. And as much as Mafuyu disliked bothering others, she wouldn’t deny a chance to have some peace and quiet.
Haruka took a final look at Mafuyu, before turning around towards the front door, the senior following shortly behind.
Mafuyu observed the way her Kouhai struggled with the door for a moment, unable to work around its confusing mechanisms, and was about to interfere, when-
“Haruka-chan! I’ll open it for you!” Honami’s voice came in from behind the duo.
Mafuyu turned around, feigning a polite face. She wasn’t too acquainted with the brunette, but she recognised her as Kanade’s housekeeper, and they had met several times, though never without her employer.
“Mochizuki-san? You’re here as well?” She tilted her head.
The girl the question was directed at smiled nervously. “Mhm. I came here with Ichika-chan and the others.”
“Hoshino-san?”
“Yeah. I was about to head out for a moment- I’m not too big of a fan of crowds- so if you’re leaving, I can help out!”
“We aren’t leaving.” Haruka assured her. “We just wanted to take a breath of air outside.”
“I see... then is it okay if I come along?”
Mafuyu this time responded, affirming, “of course! We’d be glad to have you.”
Honami’s eyes lit up at the concept of spending even a moment with the two as she delicately adjusted the locks, as if it were second nature to her.
“You’re quite good at this, aren’t you?” Haruka praised.
“Well, Saki-chan has a similar complex lock at her house, and I’ve been trapped there so many times before....” Honami’s eyes widened just remembering the occasion.
“As in, Tenma Saki?” Mafuyu frowned, looking at Haruka. “Isn’t she your classmate? Is she the one you came with?”
“Mhm. She was... quite insistent on me coming along.”
“Hoshino-san is in her class as well, isn’t she? Is she around?”
Honami finally pried open the door, and the purple haired girl let out a deep sigh of relief, feeling the cold breeze tickle her skin.
“She is.” Honami confirmed. “But she left quite a while ago. Parties aren’t really something she can tolerate.”
“Azusawa-?” Haruka said.
“Hm? I’m not sure if Kohane-chan came. I’d have to ask Shiho-chan-“
“No need, she’s right there.” The idol pointed forward, to where the girl and a somewhat older boy sat on the grass.
“Eh-? Kohane-chan?” Honami exclaimed.
Mafuyu raised an eyebrow, unfamiliar with Azusawa. The two had met briefly, but hadn’t had a one-on-one conversation. The only thing she knew about the rapper was that she was in a music circle with Ena’s younger brother.
Mafuyu definitely didn’t know the boy sat by her, but Honami clearly did. “Tsukasa-san-?” She murmured.
“Ah- the boy from the shrine...” Haruka mumbled from her other side.
So they all somewhat knew each other... Mafuyu realised, meaning she was the only one who was unfamiliar with the pair.
Kohane turned around, realising that there were people behind her, and her eyes shone. “Haruka-chan! Honami-chan!” She waved, signalling the two could sit by them. “And- um...” she frowned, looking at the older.
“Asahina Mafuyu.” She smiled, “nice to meet you.”
“Honami! You’re here as well?” The unnamed boy greeted, grin wide.
Mafuyu winced slightly at his volume. She had left the house to get a moment of silence, but it seemed this boy would ruin that for her.
“Yeah, I came with Saki-chan!” Honami placed a palm on her cheek, evidently confused. “Did she not tell you...?”
“Apparently not...” He chuckled. He glanced at Mafuyu, and jumped up, “Wah-! I forgot to introduce myself-!!”
She radiantly looked at him. “Don’t worry about it! I’ve already introduced myself as Asahina Mafuyu. And you are...?”
“Tenma Tsukasa.” He returned the radiance right back. “Pleasure to meet you, Asahina!”
“We’ve already met before, haven’t we?” Haruka looked at him. “Back at the Chocolate factory?”
“...The chocolate factory?” Honami frowned.
Haruka looked at her, smiling. “You’ve heard of it?”
“No, it’s just that Shiho-chan got us something from there for white day.”
“Shiho? Yeah, we saw her there!” Tsukasa added in. “I was there doing an acting gig!”
“An acting gig...?” Mafuyu repeated. “Ah, you’re part of Ootori-san’s troupe, aren’t you?”
The strange haired boy beamed at her. “You’re familiar with Emu?”
Mafuyu sat down besides him, while Honami sat next to Kohane, and Haruka between them all. “Mhm! She’s a good Kouhai of mine!”
Kohane giggled lightly. “Hehe~ it seems we’re all connected in some way, isn’t that great? I’ve also seen their shows before. They’re so cool!”
Tsukasa lit up at the praise. “As expected of WonderlandsxShowtime’s number one fan, to know a good performance when she sees one!”
Kohanes eyes sparkled.
“Kiritani-san, you’re an idol, no?” Mafuyu inquired. “How similar would you say the experiences of an idol and a troupe member would be?”
Mafuyu didn’t miss the something that flashed in Haruka’s eyes. “That depends, I suppose.” She mused. “How are your fan interactions, Tenma-kun?”
“Well, I generally don’t run into my fans in public often....” Tsukasa trailed. “Though, many people who come to Phoenix Wonderland love talking about shows with me.”
“It must be lovely to have fans like that appreciating your work!” Honami chuckled.
Haruka nervously fidgets. “Well... I’d say that fans of idols can be rather.... insensitive...”
Mafuyu raised an eyebrow. Insensitive?
She recalled something Haruka said not even 10 minutes ago.
“Positive.” Haruka beamed. “It’s more preferable to getting asked... uncomfortable questions about my work ethics by some of the people here.”
To always be questioned by people, having sensitive information being inquired about, and in places where she was supposed to have free time?
Mafuyu shivers in disgust at the thought, an unsatisfactory tingle in her spine.
“I suppose that does happen occasionally...” Kohane agreed. “Some people who enjoy our performances will come around, but its always helpful to depend upon your friends at these times!”
“...I think so too.” Mafuyu truthfully admits, surprising even herself.
“I’ll try it.” Brushed off Haruka, looking away.
Mafuyu frowned.
Kohane frowned.
Mafuyu quickly placed a smile onto her face.
Kohane, however, remained staring at the idol, eyebrows furrowed in deep consideration.
“...I think idols and actors are quite similar.” Tsukasa nervously wiped a bead of sweat from the side of his face.
“Hm? What makes you say that?”
“Perhaps this is just based on what Nene did with Hanasato, but both roles require a lot of energy to be placed into them, and an image to be maintained- somewhat.” He added.
Kohane gasped. “Its like- how me and my group generally street dance alot! We have to put our all into it!”
“Energy...? Well... I play the drums, but that doesn’t sound as consuming as acting or dancing....” Honami tilted her head, palm on her cheek.
“Even street dancing looks like too much for me...” Haruka nervously smiled. “The movements look like alot for my limbs..”
“I thought that too when I first began...” Kohane blushed. “But An-chan and everyone else taught me, and they made it so easy!”
“It truly does sound impressive.” Mafuyu praised. “You should give us a performance sometime.”
Haruka agreed. “I’d enjoy that.”
“Then I’ll take you up on your offer someday!” Kohane beamed.
“I look forward to it!” Tsukasa announced.
“Hm... You said you play the drums, Honami-chan?” Kohane looks at her schoolmate admiringly, hands at chest level.
“Its nothing too special but... Im’ in a band with Ichika-chan and the others..”
“You shouldn’t be ashamed of that.” The purple haired senpai praised. “A band sounds amazing.”
“Shes right!” Tsukasa agreed. “Especially when you’re in a band with my little sister!”
“Tenma....” Haruka murmured. “Ah! Saki is your sister?”
“It really is a small world...” Kohane nodded slightly.
“And you play the drums? I think Kanade found some lyrics Hoshino-san had once written. They were very meaningful.”
“Oh, I remember.” Honami smiled. “Ichika-chan put a lot of effort into those lyrics. I remember her being overjoyed when you praised them.”
“Really? Hoshino-san wrote the lyrics herself?”
“By herself! Shes never had experience before either!”
“Lyrics with no experience? Hoshino must be skilled to receive such praise from Asahina-senpai.” Haruka noted.
“-But even playing drums is a art in itself!” Tsukasa objected. “To memorise an entire songs length of beats- and for different parts of the drum- is a feat in itself!”
Kohane agreed. “Mhm! That sounds even more complex than our choreography!”
“I-isn’t that a bit exaggerated-?”
“Not at all.” Mafuyu opposed. “Even the music Kanade composes is difficult, and she has several days if not weeks to create her songs, and adjust it to perfection.”
She looked at Honami, still smiling. “You, on the other hand, do have that time, but it isn’t pre-recorded. You have to perform what you’ve memorised. Its quite admirable.”
“U-well- I suppose so-“ Honami mumbled, completely flustered.
Mafuyu smiled, feeling an enjoyment that rarely comes from small talk like this, but-
What time is it?
Mafuyu checked her phone, realising it was approaching nine. “Ah- I’d best be heading home, considering the time.”
Mother will be disappointed if I’m late.
She stood up, and the others followed.
“Perhaps the rest of us should return to what we’re doing too-“ Haruka supplied. “See you another time-?”
“Mm!” Tsukasa agreed. “Me and Saki should be going anyways!”
“Then- see you all around-?” Kohane provided.
“Mhm! See you!”
Mafuyu doubts they’ll see each other again, but she allows them to assume so.