Chapter Text
Nijika
Like many a young person we were itching to explore the world. We wanted the experiences, the stories, the bonding, the food. So about a year and half ago after a similar amount of time saving up we left Japan.
Now when I said ‘we’ wanted to see the world I meant me, Nijika, and Kita. Ryo was… well she likes meeting bands from anywhere and buying stuff, i’m sure you know the average Ryo wants. Then there’s poor Bocchi. As i’m sure your imaging she was less than pleased at the prospect, yet stoically excited. We’re very proud of her.
Anyway we visited what feels like everywhere in Asia and Europe, blowing all our carefully saved cash. Ryo was in her happy place. We’d essentially commandeered their bank account in an effort to stop them buying stuff in the lead up to the trip. When finally released it was hilarious.
By the time we got to Britain and we were broke. Didn’t matter much to us we were just gonna play a few gigs over a month and then get a plane back to Japan. Easy peasy.
Not.
Because after three weeks of being in Britain the first lockdown came in and we were stranded. Honestly we weren’t that bothered. We’re 20 years old, doing pretty well musicians with good families back home. Our music brought in some money and family covered the rest. We rented a nice enough place in London and settled down. We were going to write music, lounge around, make videos, expand our online following, have fun.
Thanks to ✨lockdown✨.
I’m being sarcastic it sucks.
In England it came in three weeks after we arrived stranding us. Honestly we weren’t all that bothered, I mean we’re 20. What are 20 yr olds famous for if not being lazy and adaptable. We’re also doing decently well as a band and make money, our family send us some as well. So we simply rented a flat in London and settled down. We were going to write music, lounge around, make videos, expand our online following and generally have fun. It was a pleasant break from months of being up and at it all the time.
The big bad world full of stress was a world away. It was just us, happy in our little bubble.
Or it was for 2 weeks. Then we began to realise why forced proximity as a trope works so well in books and tv. It drives you up the fucking walls
But there is, as we soon found out, a reason why forced proximity is a trope. It took 2 weeks, 2. Measly weeks and we were driving each other up the walls.
“Ryo! Get up!”
“What why?” She asks looking up at me from her fortress of pillows and blankets swamping the sofa. She’s been watching tv on her phone for hours and it’s only 8 in the morning. I swear time no longer exists.
“We didn’t bother with three whole weeks of planning a music video to procrastinate for weeks on filming. It’s sunny today and lockdown so there’s no one around to interfere. You better got up or so help i’ll drag you there myself.”
“But it’s cold.” Ryo whines burrowing down.
“Since when did you think England was warm? Dreariness is like it’s main gimmick! It’s not raining at least yoyo.”
“What’s happening?” Kita asks leading a sleepy Hitori into the room. They’re both in pyjamas and in no way ready to go. Alright i’ll play mother and coordinate. As usual.
“We are going to film today but this idiot won’t get up.”
“Oh brilliant! I was thinking the weather looked great this morning! There aren’t even any clouds!”
“There’s always clouds.” Ryo says with a look like she’s traumatised.
“Too shleepy,” Hitori mumbles.
“See! Hitori agrees we shouldn’t go!”
“Ryo-san it’s ok, Hitori here just needs breakfast and it’s not like we’re doing it in swimming costumes. Just wear a coat!” Kita’s enthusiasm shines off of her, Kit-aura as we call it. Even Ryo can’t refus- oh nope she can. Ryo promptly burrows farther down until they’re no longer visible.
“You are coming yoyo!” I dig into the heap, arms gripping around her waist and i pull. We both flop back onto the floor is a spray of pillows and blankets.
“Nooooo!!!!!” Ryo howls in my grasp, wriggling.
“It’s ok, i’ll bring some hot water bottles, k?” I tell her stroking her hair, it’s all ruffled up in a messy bedhead.
“You want any coffee Ryo-san?” Kita calls from the kitchen, Hitori is sat bleary eyed at the table and Kita-chan’s making pancakes. Probably for all of us.
“Coffee!” Ryo sits up quickly staring at Kita like a hopeful cat hearing the sound of treats being opened.
“I can put ice cream on the pancakes if that would make you get out of the house?” I whisper in her ear. She side eyes me, clearly knowing what i’m doing. Then nods frantically, dead eyes still fixed on me.
“Are w we allowed to uh to go out to do this?”Hitori asks staring at her freshly emptied plate.
“Sure we are Hitori-chan, it’s just a beach.” Kita says with a shrug depositing a fresh pancake on her plate and returning to the stove.
“Yeah, there’s no one there and It’s an open outdoor space so no worries Bocchi.”
“Thanks.”
“And you aren’t stressed about the video, are you?” Asks Kita softly.
“No! …uh maybe a… a little bit.”
“Don’t be. Just wear a hoodie or a mask or soemthing.” Ryo advises, “you know like the mango box.”
“Right.”
“Or,” i cut in, “just don’t look at camera, keep a hold of one of our hands, smile and pretend you’re anywhere else. Surely that’s better than trying to hide?”
“Yeah, we’re here for you.” Kita adds pouring in the mix for another pancake.
“You nearly done Kita? I’d like to head out before it gets too close to lunch.”
“Yeah, not much batter left.”
Ryo
We pile into the car, Kita driving, Nijika next to her and me and Bocchi in the back. We’ve heaped cozy clothes, towels, blankets and props in the back with us. The camera and things safe in the boot.
“Is it really a good idea to wear genes?” Kita asks darting a worried glance at me, the empty road little cause for concern.
“I’m sure it’ll be fine. I’m in em now.” I say shrugging off her words, what’s the worst that can happen.
“Yeah i guess.” Kita shrugs picking up a bottle and sucking cranberry juice through the straw.
“Beach!” Hitori shouts pointing out the window, we all turn to stare at her after the sudden noise. Causing her to promptly implode, shrinking in on herself and hiding from view. Relatable.
“Everyone look away!” Nijika advices and i give Bocchi a very very helpful pat on the shoulder.
By the time we’re in the car park she’s regrown and is nodding along to the Nijika’s run through of what we’re about to do. I donn’t liten. I know exactly what we’re doing.
“I don’t understand, what do you want me to do?”
“Stand in the sea.”
“No?”
“Yes.”
“No.”
“Yes.” Nijika snaps arms akimbo glaring at me from a few meters across the sand. She’s stood with the grey water lapping at her bare heels, unbothered. Her hair’s being whipped up by the wind and her makeup is gorgeous. Dark eyeliner and slightly sparkly stuff under her eyes making her look sorta ethereal. Especially paired with her billowing white dress, a fishnet t-shirt underneath.
“You’ll look great! We talked about all this when planning. You’ll look all brooding and mysterious.”
“I don’t need the fucking ocean for that! Look at me, i’m perfect as myself.”
“Stand in the sea!”
“I don’t think-”
“Well you’re outvoted.”
“Please?” I say giving her my best puppy eyes. “I’ll pay you back.”
“Really? You know how much you owe me?”
I pause considering.
Oh God No.
“The sea sounds good.” I stride stiffly into the water, i can’t help but glare at it disdainfully. I bet i look like a grumpy cat, Nijika likes to compare me to those.
“Fine. Seeing as it’s cold we’ll do the sea shots last. Sound good?”
“Fabulous.”
“Great, now get out the water dumbass.” She steps farther up the beach holding her arms out to me. I practically teleport to her flinging my arms around her neck, dry at last. “I’m not torturing you! Chill out yoyo.”