Chapter Text
Shiho: …
Shiho: the time is going slow…
*Tick..tick..tick*
Shiho: It hasn’t been too long since Hopes Rejects formed, but I still have those three in my mind for some reason.
Shiho:...
Shiho: I’m stumped.
*The bell rings*
Minori: “Shiho! You wanna walk home with Koha-chan and I?”
Shiho: “Um- I’ll pass, sorry.”
Shiho: I have to meet the others in SEKAI later, I can’t afford to do anything else right now.
Kohane: “That’s okay, we still have to go over our next plan anyway Minori! If we’re quick we can catch Honami before she leaves!”
Minori: “Ah right! Uh- See ya!”
Shiho: “See you both later.”
*Shiho gets up out of her seat, and leaves to go find a secluded area to enter*
Shiho: “I’m still not used to all of this- it feels strange. But still…”
-LIVEHOUSE SEKAI-
*She’s outside of the actual livehouse and on the street, the outdoor stage is empty as usual save for a box of Rui’s things. It’s cold, and there’s already an evening glow. The grass is starting to be tinted white, as are the buildings around her. She shivers then heads inside*
Miku: “Oh, Shiho! I didn’t expect you to be so early-
Rin: “Hi! So you’re one of the owners of this Sekai?”
*Miku turns around in shock trying to poorly hide a small tree that hasn’t been decorated. Rin stares at Shiho in excitement.*
Shiho: “Um- Rin Kagamine?”
Rin: “That's me!”
Miku: “She showed up not too long ago- sorry i’m extremely unprepared-”
Shiho: “I mean, it doesn’t matter too much, I’m early anyways…”
*She passes them, sitting on the nearby booth to take out her bass and tune it. Rin and Miku look at each other, then Rin runs over.*
Rin: “Hey! Whatcha doing?”
Shiho: “Tuning my instrument, what else does it look like I’m doing?”
Rin: “okay- cool- but did you not notice the little thing Miku and I put up? Or that I’m here at all?”
Shiho: “I did, I’m just choosing not to acknowledge it. You’re just another one of the odd things that’s happened.”
Rin: *huff* “Rude much. So when are the others supposed to arrive?”
Shiho: “if i’m right, he should be at the door in three, two…”
*The doorbell goes off, and KAITO walks in, a goofy smile on his face.*
Shiho: “...That’s not who I meant.”
KAITO: “AH isn’t it great to stretch your legs? Oh Shiho! Good afternoon!”
Shiho: “Afternoon.”
Rin: “KAITO hi! Look who’s here! Me!”
KAITO: “Well hi Rin! That’s a great surprise!”
*Rin runs into KAITOs arms for a bear hug. Miku looks grumpy.*
Shiho: he looks like he could be her dad.
Miku: “Whatever you do please don’t take this as an excuse to be even louder downstairs”
KAITO: “oh relax Miku there’s no need to complain! I’m just gonna throw a little party that’s all, it is nearly Christmas after all.”
*He pinches Miku’s cheeks into a smile and she pushes him away gently. He shrugs and heads down to the livehouse stage, Rin follows. Miku continues hanging up decorations on the tree, not even trying to hide it anymore as a machine starts beeping. She turns it off, taking out and plating a toastie which she comes round and leaves on Shiho’s table.*
Miku: “Peace and quiet finally…for now.”
Shiho: “I didn’t ask for this.”
Miku: “I know, just thought you needed the energy. I’ll leave you to it, remember I’m over there.”
Shiho: “Right.”
*Miku returns to her little cafe area, and Shiho plays a little riff on her bass before stopping. She looks around, then to her phone.*
Shiho: Where are they?
*text message from Toya, it reads Sorry we’re going to be late Hinomori. There has been a hold up involving Akito and Kamishiro.*
Shiho: Sigh, what are they up to now...bet that was Rui’s fault.
Shiho: when did they start to stick in my head though? I barely know them…
*She bites into the toastie, her face lights up.*
Shiho: whatever Miku put in this…it’s really good. Well, now I know what i’m doing while I wait for the others.
– Kamiyama High School, exterior –
*Toya is standing outside of Kamiyama alone with his phone out. He decided to stay because he wanted to wait it out. But he’s quickly regretting it.*
Toya: It’s exceedingly cold. I don’t even have my jacket.
Toya: Those two must have royally screwed up.
*he shivers, then KAITO appears out of his phone.*
Toya: “Oh! Hey..you scared me.”
KAITO: “Sorry, sorry, I was just wondering where you guys were! I tried the other two, and Shiho is here already, did something happen?”
Toya: “Well…yeah, something did happen. Those two got in trouble, and they’re being held back. Why are you asking?”
KAITO: “There’s a little surprise in the sekai, we were wanting you here now!”
Toya: “Surprise? Well- I made a commitment to stay here so no can do. I know roughly what they did.”
KAITO: “Oh, spill!”