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The clouds outside cover the sky with steely grey. The sun peeking in between the gaps gives them a metallic sheen, as if the heavenly knights were waiting for this very day, ready to descend for war.
She closes her earring. It clinks softly, metal against metal, like armor pieces sliding against each other. Today, she’s no different from the sky’s army. Today, she goes to war with Kohane.
This day will decide her fate. She steps out of her room and heads to the kitchen. Did knights get to choose their last meal before being sent to the frontlines? Will this be her last meal as Shiraishi An, Kohane’s partner? Everything rides on this duel. She already picked out a spot, right in the heart of the town, where everyone can see. Will people cheer for her, give her their ribbons like it’s a lance tournament? Will they look her in the eye?
She’s done with breakfast before she can really think about it. Her final meal, and she’s not even sure what she had. Her legs feel like jelly as she heads out with her trusted music equipment, her sword and shield. Were the knights scared before they stepped out onto the battlefield? Does the steely army above her feel the same?
She’s afraid. She can’t turn back. Is it normal to want to run right before the war? Did the armies march forward regardless of their fear, like she does right now? Her spot isn’t far. It’s not long before she’s plugging her speaker in, then doing the same to her mics. She places them on top of the speaker; it’s not yet time, even if the familiar chill of metal is comforting. First, she must throw her glove down; inform Kohane that today, they’re enemies, forced to face against each other. Today, they stand on opposite sides, despite their partnership. Or maybe it’s the reason why; they can’t be true partners, not like this, not when she’s cowardly and lame. She has to throw that label off and win this duel if she wants to be truly equal with Kohane.
Her anxiety builds as she waits; though Kohane arrives quickly, she’s overflowing with it by the time she sees familiar mousy pigtails.
She takes a deep breath in.
There’s no running away now.
She challenges Kohane to a battle, declares war on her partner. To her surprise, Kohane takes up her glove with a smile. Is this something she wanted? How long did she wish for a duel, for a head-on battle? That doesn’t matter, because she will be victorious today. She has to win. She will show everything to Kohane today, and she will triumph over her. Being chosen by Uncle Taiga, headlining for their event, none of it matters. Today’s her day to hog all the glory to herself, to make Kohane’s heart pound like never before.
She picks up her mic. It sits perfectly in her hand, familiar and cool against her palm. It’s getting worn out, a sword that’s seen plenty of battles. It’ll accompany her today once more, aid her in claiming victory.
Kohane makes the first strike. Her voice is powerful, and she looks just like Nagi-san did back then. She’s grown so much since she opened for them for RISE, since their defeat at Uncle Taiga’s hands. Her heart tries to pound out of her chest, beating to the rhythm of the backing track.
She’s not going to let herself lose.
She attacks back. This is how she’ll prove to Kohane that her words were true, that she’ll keep going beyond her and surpass her however many times is necessary to stand by her side with her head held high. She watches Kohane’s reaction to her song, how her chest rises with each panting breath. Her attack strikes true against Kohane’s heart. She lets everything out; her anxiety, her desire to make Kohane’s heart pound, her fear of disappointing Kohane. It flows out of her, she unleashes it all on Kohane, she’ll win with her heart bare.
Kohane responds in kind; her voice stronger in a counterattack. She already sounds better than moments before, she’s already improved. It’s terrifying. It’s electrifying. It makes her heart pound. Can Kohane feel the same heat she does? Does the world turn blurry in her vision, all focused on her opponent? Is she the only thing that matters right now, like Kohane is to her? She can’t worry about this. Gripping the mic tighter, she’ll make herself the only thing Kohane needs to look at.
She’s more powerful, she feels. Kohane’s voice is dragging everything out from her; she wants to do the same to Kohane. It’s not a fair fight if Kohane has more to give. She wants Kohane to bring out the cavalry, to hit her with everything she has and even more beyond that. Her mic is scorching hot in her hand. She puts that heat into her singing, sending it Kohane’s way.
Kohane kicks up into higher gear. This is it, her final attack, the mightiest strike she can deal. She’s amazing. Her heart shakes with the force of her voice, her whole body trembles with the response that bubbles up.
She’ll burn Kohane up.
She’ll take this victory from her. Distantly, she can hear cheers of her name, the audience of their duel. Vivid Street might be important to both of them, but this is her home turf. This is where she practiced countless times, these are the people who raised her. She’ll win for her town, she’ll show everyone that she won’t falter again. She’s Shiraishi An, and they’ll all see her for her unwavering resolve.
She sees Kohane’s eyes widen. Is she scared? Can she feel even a sliver of what’s been clouding her heart all this time? Is this admiration, the true version of it? Her heart has to be pounding. It has to beat for this true version of her, for the Shiraishi An that’s her equal, the Shiraishi An that doesn’t hesitate.
Their eyes are locked on each other, even as the track ends, even as their weapons hang low in their hands. The air burns hot with their feelings, with anxiety, excitement and desire to win. This view, Kohane’s flushed face and shining eyes, is what she was after. Winning, losing, overtaking, being overtaken. This is what she wanted, all the way back when she proudly declared that she’s looking for a partner. They’ll push each other, again and again, all the way beyond Nagi’s dream. Even as Kohane admits defeat, there’s a determined twinkle in her eye. She wants to win the next one. An’s not going to let her do that.
She speaks to the town, while her hand is still around the mic. Right now, when she tells everyone they’ll go beyond Nagi’s dreams, her words are filled with confidence. She won against Kohane, and against her lame self, and her mind’s no longer clouded with doubt. The view she’ll show this town is something not even RAD WEEKEND could.
The cheering dies down, eventually. The street falls into peace, their battlefield turns quiet. Kohane helps her clean up, and takes her hand once they’re done. The war is over. When she looks up, the heavenly army has dissipated into the clear sky. She stands tall with Kohane, her partner, finally as equals.
“An-chan.” Kohane’s eyes are still shining, focused on her and her alone. “Why don’t we get something to drink?” Their hands are still tangled as Kohane starts leading her towards the nearest vending machine.
“That’s a smart idea.” It’s not far off, and she watches as Kohane takes out some change from her pockets.
“Thanks for today. I really needed this battle.” They’re equals. When one them gets ahead, the other will just catch up and overtake again. This, she always wanted this. How hasn’t she realized it sooner?
“Hehe. I’m glad I could fight against you, An-chan.” Kohane passes her a soda can. “My heart has never pounded more than during the battle.” Kohane leans against the wall with her own drink, their shoulders against each other. “I’m winning the next one, though.”
“I’m not letting that happen.” She turns her head to look at Kohane. She looks so alluring under the midday sun, sweat shining on her face . Her eyes glisten with the danger of a challenge, the thirst for battle. She feels the same.
“That sounds like a challenge.” Kohane’s still focused only on her, even as her hands open her peach tea.
“It is.” She moves off the wall to face Kohane properly, leaning close into her personal space. “I’ll keep facing you head-on, and I’ll keep winning. I’ll keep making your heart pound.” She places her hand on Kohane’s sternum, right above her heart; it’s still pounding wildly. This is what her singing does to Kohane. Today, Kohane’s heart is An’s.
“A-ah, An-chan.” Kohane goes adorably red in the face. “I’ll make your heart pound, too.” Kohane’s hand covers hers, her voice steady. “Let’s keep pushing each other, higher and higher.”
“Yeah. Let’s be partners forever.”
Finally, when she says that they’ll stay partners forever, she knows it’s true. No more doubt. No more hesitation.
Just her and Kohane, together as equals.