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An loved her family.
Not just her parents--she loved the town she lived in and the people who watched over her since the day she was born. She loved the record store owner, the attractive lady who liked her singing, and all of the live house managers. But more than anything, she loved her father's team--RADder.
Ever since she'd learned about them from the musicians of Vivid Street, she'd had nothing but respect for them. They were easily the absolute coolest singers around-- their skills were so high they were capable of getting a crowd going in just a matter of seconds. Wherever they went they were met with only the highest praise, and it was clear to everyone that they were Vivid Street's very best. Every day they reached greater heights, and all the old folks looked at them with something like pride in their eyes as they put on show after show,the venues all sold out within hours.
And An was the daughter of one of these people! Her dad and his friends often came to watch her practice as well as offer tips, and every time she sang in front of them she could feel herself getting stronger. She gleefully ran after them wherever they went, eager to learn whatever she could to become an even better musician than they were one day. The race seemed like it would stretch on forever before she completed it, but it looked wide and sunny. Soon she, too, would be the one earning wild cheers from the crowd as she launched into her final song, raising the heat of a single venue with just her voice. And it would be amazing.
However, she soon realized her father's fame came with consequences. He and his teammates began spending less time with her, often saying that they had some important meeting or a friend had asked for help. At first she tried to bear it, clinging onto every promise they made her. They made it up to her whenever they could, but it became too frustrating to handle.
One day, it became too much. She sat around waiting for her dad and his teammates to meet her all day, feeling lonelier than ever. It was early evening when the new live house hire came running up to her, explaining that the team had had no choice but to participate in an event. An finally snapped. Why was her father unable to keep any of his promises to her?
She'd run away that day, hatred boiling up inside of her. It was clear that her father cared more about the people in the town than her, otherwise he wouldn't keep breaking his promises. She'd been waiting so long and so patiently just to spend time with him, and he'd once again chosen them over her. Even if they came running to find her, she'd never go back home.
She ended up regretting her decision after a couple of hours. She walked alone in the unfinished school building nearby her house, wishing she could go back home while still feeling angry over the day. Out of nowhere...Aunt Nagi appeared.
The older woman simply listened to her as she complained about the day, and how much her father broke his promises to her. Surprisingly she didn't get mad, only gently rubbing her head and explaining to her why exactly the town was so important to the three of them. An listened with rapt attention, soaking in all she could as her aunt explained how she, Taiga and Ken had all been taken in by Vivid Street. At the end she still felt hurt and slightly neglected, but she felt as though she could understand her father more.
Then, to her shock, Aunt Nagi revealed that everyone in the town--especially her father--had come looking for her. Even though the rain beating down on them was cold, everyone rushed to her and Aunt Nagi's sides as they emerged from the empty school building, her father wrapping An in the tightest hug imaginable. It was then that she fully understood--even though it seemed like they'd had more important priorities, she was still loved by everyone in the town. Once everything was resolved and everyone had been forgiven, they all went home together, An's hand clasped tightly in her father's.
From then on An's respect for all of them, but Aunt Nagi especially, only grew. She admired the way Aunt Nagi had rescued her, respecting her even as she grew up and continued to sing. She was just so cool and grown-up, and so pretty too! Even with their busy, busy schedules she made time for An, going out with her and doing things like buying ice cream or crepes together. She was the perfect role-model of who An wanted to be someday--strong, beautiful and with the singing voice to match! She was kind, too, constantly cheering An up and giving her advice. Sometimes they did silly things like put on makeup together, often shocking Taiga and Ken when they came to fetch them (Nagi wasn't the most experienced and An was barely 12, so it was always a mess to look at.) She spent every day with An, acting just like the perfect big sister she was to her.
Then one day, it happened. RADder announced that they would be putting on a massive event with the people in the town. Aunt Nagi and the others began spending less time with her, but this time she understood. Events were hard to manage, after all, and this one was going to be the best! Absolutely nothing could fall short. So although it hurt a little bit, she held her breath and eagerly waited to see the promised event.
Finally the night arrived. An knew right away that it was a night she would never, ever forget--every single moment was burned permanently into her brain. The sight of her father, Uncle Taiga and Aunt Nagi--Aunt Nagi, in all her beautiful glory--singing their hearts out louder than she'd ever heard them lit up the entire room. She thought she might go deaf from all the screaming as they launched into their solo, but she couldn't care less. She was watching a legend play out, and as it began to end she knew she had to surpass it.
A couple of weeks after that, though, Aunt Nagi disappeared. Ken told An when she asked that she had abruptly decided to leave for America after RADder disbanded, eager to continue training to break past any barrier that still stood in her way.
It hurt. A lot. The knowledge pierced her heart, that Aunt Nagi hadn't even said good-bye. An kept her frustrations to herself, however, telling herself that one day, she'd come back. Then she'd wow her with all the progress she'd made! Maybe one day she'd even have a partner to show off to her, just like Uncle Taiga and Ken had! An's anger soon passed at the thought, and even though all her messages were left unread she reasoned to herself that Aunt Nagi was just busy becoming the best musician the world had to offer. And that was fine, because An was going to become even better. She had a dream now, too--to surpass the event they'd put on, RAD WEEKEND. She'd give her aunt a run for her money when she came back!
That dream, as bright as it sounded, didn't last long. Barely half a year after RAD WEEKEND, she asked her father if they could fly to America together. "We've been running the cafe now for about 3 months, right?" she asked him one night as they were closing. "Do you think we'll have enough money soon to head to America?"
Her father's hands stilled. His back turned to her, he asked, "Why do you want to go there?"
"I wanna visit Aunt Nagi and Uncle Taiga! It's been really lonely since they left, and neither of them are returning my messages," she complained. "I expected it from Uncle Taiga 'cause he locks in like crazy, but I can't believe Aunt Nagi would ignore me! I wanna head there and give them a piece of my mind!"
There was a heavy pause. "It's too expensive," Ken said at last. "Even if we ran the cafe for three years, I don't think we could afford it."
"...O-Oh, alright."
Back then An had gotten the feeling that she'd stumbled onto something she shouldn't have. Several alarm bells had sounded in her head at his firm rebuttal, so although she felt bad, she began to press her father more on the matter. She was certain that the cost wasn't the only reason he was avoiding America, but she couldn't imagine why. Surely he wanted to see his teammates again, right? They hadn't even been texting him, and while she was one thing, they'd been in his life earlier than she had! Why wasn't he bothered by this?!
Then one day her father couldn't hold it in anymore. They'd gotten into a shouting match that night upon arriving back home, as she was tired of him hiding things from her. He'd ended up giving up Aunt Nagi's secret, yelling at her that she was dead.
It was like a slap to the face. An had been so shocked that she didn't believe him at first, accusing him of lying so he didn't have to spend any money. Just when it looked the fight would get worse Yuka intervened, calming them both down and explaining things. It turned out Aunt Nagi--her precious Aunt Nagi who loved her and would never hurt her--had died of pancreatic cancer shortly after RAD WEEKEND and asked everyone to keep it a secret. While this alone felt like a betrayal, everyone willingly agreed to lie for her sake--to try and keep her dream "alive" even though she was long dead. And like an idiot, she had believed them.
The betrayal felt like a knife right to her heart. The entire town had turned on her, choosing to prioritize the needs of a dead person over someone who was still living. An had been so overwhelmed that night she ran right to her room and locked her door, proceeding to scream herself to sleep. The next morning she ran away to school without talking to her parents and stayed at a friend's house for a couple of days. Eventually she went home, and while all three of them talked it out and shared a massive hug, she was never the same. She stopped singing on the streets, quietly packing up her equipment and sliding it into her closet. As time passed, she realized she didn't blame them as much as she did Aunt Nagi. She'd died and had chosen to keep it secret from her? How selfish could one person be?
It's so lonely without Aunt Nagi, she thought one late night as she played around with the video website her friend had recommended to her.
Why did you leave me?
Why did you lie to me?
Why, Aunt Nagi?
I want to join you. There's nothing for me anymore.
I can't surpass you anymore anyway.
...I wish I could just disappear.
An sighed, rolling across her bed to grab her phone and opening Twitter. She began mindlessly scrolling to pass the time (until what, she wasn't sure.) Right away a beautiful picture popped up onto her screen, stunning her. The visuals were gorgeous, clearly detailing what exactly the artist had felt in such a way that she could understand it, although she couldn't quite name the feeling. It's...a little girl standing beneath a wall.
The wall's so tall, but I can see other people sitting on it. They look like they're having so much fun.
But...she's stuck underneath. She just can't reach up towards them.
...Wow. I can understand the feeling so clearly.
While she was busy marveling at it she noticed a description and quickly sat upright to read it. This artwork is inspired by...a song? she thought, startled. What kind of song could...?
She got her answer as soon as she opened the link. As she listened to it, awed, she caught hints of samples she recognized. Her shock was so great she almost dropped her phone off the bed. What--
There's no way. But--but those are definitely the same songs, even though they're just there as a little bit.
This person watched RAD WEEKEND.
It's so amazing--it's like they've tried to capture some of that feeling, show what excited them even just for a second.
However, it feels...bleak. Like they tried to match it but couldn't.
...As if they're standing at the bottom of a large wall, she realized. The wall is different depending on the person, though...it's as if it's saying "we all have our own walls. Just try and keep living. Maybe you can cross them one day."
Such a sweet and kind song...
...This deserves a music video.
She hurried back to her laptop again, opening up the video editor. After saving the fan art, she slid it into the timeline and eagerly threw in a bunch of effects. Add an old-timey movie filter, zoom in on the people on top of the wall, add a sunlight beam here...yes! It's perfect!
Wait, wait. I can't just post this without asking the artist who drew the art...
I'll just go ahead and ask them, then!
I could just keep it to myself, but...
...this should be shared.
I want as many people as possible to see this. They have to.
The wall...can maybe be climbed one day.
One day, if you just keep living until then...
She quickly tapped onto the icon of the person who'd drawn the fan art. Kohammie? Aww, that's such a cute name. I bet the person behind it is just as cute!
...Alright, here goes nothing.
Steeling herself, she opened the DM page and typed out a message.
Hiiiii, I really liked your art!! :D :D :D Is it fine if I post a video of it???