Chapter Text
"Heyyy! Icchan!"
Ichika's eyes slowly opened at the sound of that voice... Saki.
But that wasn't all. Music... loud music. And... an awful smell in the air...
The girl sat up, black hair messy from the floor.
"Saki..?"
The blonde instantly gripped her shoulders and shook them, whining out in desperation.
"Icchan! I was so worried about you, you were the only person who didn't wake up earlier!"
"... Hhhuh? Saki, what do you mean? Where.. are we?"
"I don't know, nobody does! Not even Rui-san..."
"... Uh.. oh." Ichika slowly raised to her feet, wincing lightly. Then, she looked around, head feeling heavy. "This... is a bathroom, right?"
Ichika locked eyes with Kanade, who was sitting in the corner with a glass of (probably unclean) water. Both girls flinched.
"Kanade-san!-"
"Hoshino-san!-"
Saki giggled lightly.
"Kanade-san stayed here. She was uncomfortable with all the noise..." Saki explained softly, which gained Kanade's approval - indicated by a small nod. Ichika slowly nodded.
"I understand... are you alright, Kanade-san?"
"Ah... I'm alright, yes. Thank you for asking..." Kanade trailed off. "Everyone else was worrying about you, Hoshino-san..."
Ichika frowned.
"Oh, I better go, then."
Saki wrapped her arms around Ichika, smiling. But even Saki was trembling a little bit.
"Okayy! Let's get out of here quick, then~ Kanade-san? Are you coming with us?"
"... I'll stay here, thank you." Kanade smiled.
With a small nod, Ichika had pushed the door open...
...
The music was so much louder. The two girls winced.
"Saki?"
"Mhm?"
"I might be wrong, but... do you think that this place is really shady?"
Saki looked a little bit surprised, then nodded.
"Yes, totally! I get where you're coming from, Icchan... I-I feel a little uncomfortable. But.. don't tell the others, okay?~ I don't want to freak anyone out."
Ichika took her hand and squeezed it.
"If that's what you want, then of course. But please let me know if you need someone to talk to, Saki. I'm here for you."
For a minute, the girls stood in silence, feeling the beat of the music in their bones. Ichika glanced to Saki for a moment.
She was smiling, but not from happiness. She looked relieved.
Maybe that was just what she needed to hear.
(Ichika has +1 relationship point with Saki!)
"Where did you say everyone was?" Ichika questioned, tilting her head gently. Saki put a hand on her chin and thought about it...
"Well... Hona-chan and Shiho went to get snacks from a counter, onii-chan and Emu-chan are trying to win at UNO against Kohane-chan and Toya-kun, Minori-chan slipped down the stairs and twisted her ankle so now Haruka-chan, Airi-senpai and Shizuku-senpai are trying to help her, An-chan, Mizuki-chan, Akito-kun and Shinonome-san are dancing to the music, Asahina-senpai, Rui-san and Nene-chan are discussing where we are. That's about all!"
"Ah- Minori... is she okay?"
"I'm sure she'll be okay! Don't worry, Minori-chan always pulls through!"
Ichika took a small breath and leaned over the ledge... the coloured lights, the atmosphere. It was almost like a rave. But there was an odd feeling that lingered.
... This didn't feel real at all.
But... Saki was there. So it had to be. Saki gently wrapped an arm around her shoulder.
"Come on, lets go check up on a group!"
... Who to check on?
- 'Let's go see how Honami and Shiho are doing.'
- 'I wonder who's winning in UNO?'
- 'We should check on Minori.'
- 'Want to beat the 'Leo/need doesn't dance' comments?'
- 'Maybe someone in the discussion group has more information.'
- 'I want to go back to Kanade-san.'
- 'Can I talk to you, Saki?'
END OF CHAPTER 1 - STATUS REPORT.
LEO/NEED:
Hoshino Ichika (current focus) - status unavailable.
Tenma Saki - lost yet optimistic! (1/3 relationship points)
Mochizuki Honami - status unknown. (0/3 relationship points)
Hinomori Shiho - status unknown. (0/3 relationship points)
MORE MORE JUMP!:
Hanasato Minori - status unknown. (0/3 relationship points)
Kiritani Haruka - status unknown. (0/3 relationship points)
Momoi Airi - status unknown. (0/3 relationship points)
Hinomori Shizuku - status unknown. (0/3 relationship points)
VIVID BAD SQUAD:
Azusawa Kohane - status unknown. (0/3 relationship points)
Shiraishi An - status unknown. (0/3 relationship points)
Shinonome Akito - status unknown. (0/3 relationship points)
Aoyagi Toya - status unknown. (0/3 relationship points)
WONDERLANDS X SHOWTIME:
Tenma Tsukasa - status unknown. (0/3 relationship points)
Otori Emu - status unknown. (0/3 relationship points)
Kusanagi Nene - status unknown. (0/3 relationship points)
Kamishiro Rui - status unknown. (0/3 relationship points)
NIGHTCORD AT 25:00:
Yoisaki Kanade - status unknown. (0/3 relationship points)
Asahina Mafuyu - status unknown. (0/3 relationship points)
Shinonome Ena - status unknown. (0/3 relationship points)
Akiyama Mizuki - status unknown. (0/3 relationship points)
CURRENT ROUTE: None
ALIVE: 20/20