Chapter Text
Another day another thought.
"Does he think about me?"
Nene quietly sits at the cafeteria with all of the other human kids. She was never one for socialisation, especially after Tsukasa left her. She eats her meal silently. It tastes bitter. Would it taste better if Tsukasa was around? Everything leads back to Tsukasa's existence and absence in Nene's current life. I mean, why wouldn't it. He was her everything. The only person who saw beyond her cold and silent facade. The only one who she felt true love around. So it only hurt more when he left her behind.
Behind, in this cruel place. This cruel reality.
Why was she doing anything anymore? It didn't matter anyway. Tsukasa was gone for good. Or was he...?
That day, a seed was planted into her head.
A hopeful thought, that perhaps Tsukasa would come and see her if she were to quality to Alien Stage and win the competition entirely. It wasn't realistic, but who cared if it helped her get through each day.
But that hopeful thought turned into a twisting obsession.
Each day, constant training, even outside of vocal training sessions, obsessively watching past Alien Stage seasons.
Each day, constant training, even outside of vocal training sessions, obsessively watching past Alien Stage seasons. As long as it counted towards her end goal.
It's been about 4..? Maybe 5 years...? Nene can't quite remember. The day she turned 18, she applied for Alien Stage auditions every day. She got past the application part several times – but never past the auditions. She was now 21, still clinging onto her stupid dream of maybe seeing Tsukasa ever again. She perfected her voice and appearance just to have a slightly bigger chance of getting into Alien Stage. She even did the annoying modelling gigs, the very same ones Samu, her alien guardian forced her to do, just to increase her chance.
During one of her voice training sessions, one of the alien instructors had approached her. She already knew what awaited her.
"Your pitch is too high, lower it."
"You're getting too distracted, focus."
"Your performance isn't moving enough, try again."
But it goes differently.
"Look... Nene, your vocals have reached their peak. I have no other tips for me to give. The reason why your performance lacks... You sound emotionally hollow. Words sung beautifully cannot compare to those sung beautifully and emotionally. I'd recommend thinking of the reason why you sing, for what or who you sing. You're pretty reasonable, I'm sure you understand."
"Ah, I see. But you, yourself, said it is distracting-"
"For average singers – yes. But your case is different. You'd benefit with a distraction from perfection. Of course, there are other things that go into an amazing performance in Alien Stage, like emotional manipulation of your opponent and knowing boundaries – but singing is the focus."
"I'll... I'll try that," she mutters as the instructor leaves the room.
It was good advice, really. Lately, her voice was lacking emotion since all she was focusing on was technical perfection.
Nene thought to herself. Why was she doing all of this? She knew the answer, Tsukasa– Maybe that's it? If she channels her love for him into her performances, perhaps it would fix the emotional hollow of her voice.
The strategy proves to be successful, as she easily passes through the Alien Stage auditions she so anticipated for.
This is it. She will participate in the 49th season of Alien Stage. This is her chance. Her chance to see Tsukasa.
She stands, sweaty, gazing at her dead opponent, blood pooling at her feet.
Nene let's out a sigh of relief.
She did it. She won the finals. The 49th season of Alien Stage.
But where was he? Where was Tsukasa?
Where was the fantasy she invisioned?
All this for nothing?– No, she can't give up yet.
This is only one Alien Stage, she can't give up so quickly. She'll clear this shitty death game even a thousand times, if it just meant she'll get to see Tsukasa again.
No matter who stands in her way. No matter who she'll have to sacrifice. No matter what happens. She will win.
She knew it.