[Yahhō~!
Everest June… ehehe, I didn't know you were that kind of June.
Now I'm extra curious.
Let's be friends, okay?
…Don't run away.]
Here goes nothing… he won't think I'm a creep, will he?
Aya sat—or rather knelt—on her modern amber couch, in her relatively empty apartment room with only a bed and her desk/cabinet on one side and her couch and door on the other. There was no bathroom, only the public bath in the apartment building.
The walls were all a faded green color and the lights were dead, which was why she had a small torch in her mouth.
Ding. Ding.
[All Icons: Report to USA: STELLAR HIGH by 8:00 AM]
She was looking at her screen, which had a burdensome notification on it. It was still 6:02 AM.
Haaaaaa… nani yo… what do I even wear? I don't wanna go… (JP: nani yo)
Ding. Ding.
There was a new message—a message from Reeze Monroe.
[Reeze Monroe: Don't even think about not showing up, slum rat. You understand?
Don't make me regret this.]
Ufufufu… jokes on you. Curses won't do anything, baka… (JP: baka)
She reflexively threw her hands in the air and ranted—which made the small torch in her mouth plummet and shatter.
"Nah, for real?! What madness is all this?! I fly aaall the way from Granny's in the countryside to this tech dump and whazzu I get? A homeroom? Early morning classu?!" (JP: classu)
She sobbed in acceptance and dragged herself up. Normally she was more energetic than she had any business being, but a ___-hour flight and no beauty sleep had their way of "relaxing" her.
Aya puffed her cheeks dramatically before using her phone as a light and walking to the public bathroom. There she washed up until about 7:00 AM; then rushed to her room—in a towel—pulled out her makeup kit, and sat in front of her desk. She only managed to bring her mirror and bag of clothes and accessories; everything else came with the flat.
She placed the torso-sized mirror in front of her and began applying makeup—not that she really needed it. If there was one thing that made her stand out, it was her breathtaking beauty.
She had naturally smooth fair skin and silky purple hair touched with pink at the extremities. Her crimson eyes were a tantalizing dead calm; her irises gave no reactions whatsoever, even though her face was habitually expressive.
She finished applying her makeup—black lipstick on her lower lip and light red mascara. It was already 7:15 AM by then.
"There… all done~ Hah… kawaii jyan~" (JP)
She smiled in satisfaction and enjoyed her reflection for too long before sighing deeply and unzipping her traveling bag.
She produced a jet-black T-shirt with a curse word at the back and the name of her favorite star at the front. She found leggings and a skirt to match and wore a pair of fairly used black heels to finish.
Only then did she exhaust a pricey perfume she'd saved for the occasion and walk out majestically—without having any breakfast.
The city was overwhelming, with neon lights everywhere and tastefully designed vehicles. She signaled one of them—a taxi—and after a series of negotiations, she got a relatively cheap ride to USA: STELLAR HIGH.
After a while of sightseeing and unrestrained excitement, she arrived at an empty stretch of green grass under rare daylight, before a titanic fence spanning the horizon. A neon sign glowed boldly:
[USA: STELLAR HIGH]
"Maji sugee…" (JP: amazing)
"For madness' sake! It's a frickin' town!"
She entered the compound and trekked toward the center structure. On her way she saw lush forests, stadiums, studios, theatres and the like—everything a celebrity could wish for.
"Ufufufu… I'm sooo gonna brag about this to my friends-to-be!"
She finally arrived at a colossal structure resembling a mansion—snow-white with castle-like marble walls; the roof was vermillion. The entrance was a flight of stairs adorned with a red carpet and rows of security personnel in formation.
After passing through various levels of security she finally entered a dimly lit, vast hall. The crimson seats were all of higher quality than her couch, and it resembled a theatre.
She made her way through the crowd at the entrance and skipped all the way to the front row. The air there was electric and suffocating at the same time.
Aya didn't mind. She stood there grinning in awe. It had been a long road here, and this was only the beginning. She deserved a moment to be proud. She glanced at the faces present—
Then froze.
Dolly face. Jet black hair tied in a bun, bangs covering his forehead, hypnotic gold eyes that were dangerous to stare into, an easygoing smile… and a silky black robe.
Everest June.
His face was currently looking at her with something resembling recognition… and quiet amusement.
And as if synced, all the others near him turned to stare at her as well. Then they stood up together and walked toward her—all in jet-black casual wear.
"A Japanese chic?"
The first to reach her was a face every teenage girl knew—Silver Lake. Midnight blue hair tipped with sky blue, pitch-black eyes that reflected no light, and piercings everywhere.
Aya puffed her cheeks.
"Ouchieee! You dun know me? That's suuuper mean yo! Ara~ you break cute girl heart like zis?!" (JP: ara)
Silver scratched his head.
"Yo chill, lil' sparkplug. I don't forget faces like that—names just... you know, slip through the cracks. Happens to legends like me."
Everest's voice cut in—calm, composed, revealing without exposing:
"Silver tends to overlook details that require effort. It's a habit he's proud of."
Silver pointed at him. "Bro… that's uncalled for. And true. But uncalled for."
Aya blinked.
"Ne… are you two always like zis?"
Everest leaned close to Silver and whispered something short and sharp.
Silver's eyebrows shot up.
"Oh—OH. Yo! You're that girl! Lily Loco's number-one fan! The whole net was obsessed with you! Girl, they literally crowned you Number One Fangirl."
Aya grinned smugly.
"Ufufu~ maybe I waaassss~"
Silver clicked his tongue.
"Yeah, that tracks. No wonder you ain't into dudes who don't know your idol. If someone ain't know mine? Instant block."
Aya leaned in.
"And who iz your idol, hm? Tell me yo~"
Silver burst into laughter.
"Me. Duh. Ain't nobody out there with my drip."
Aya muttered under her breath:
"For madness' sake… baka rapper…" (JP: baka)
Everest approached her fully and extended a hand, composed, polite, and just a bit too observant:
"A pleasure meeting you, Fan girl. You're… very good at hiding nerves."
Aya's whole soul glitched.
"H-HA?! I—I'm not nervous! Arigatō though!" (JP: arigatō)
She grabbed his hand quickly.
"And I'm Aya Norito, NOT fangirl! A-Y-A, N-O—"
BUZZZZZZZZ!
Everyone froze and turned to the scarlet stage. The titanic screen behind it lit up.
[Greetings… I am whatever you make me to be—]
She felt the air nearly forced out of her lungs when she first heard the voice.
[Please, ladies and gentlemen… have your seats.]
Aya rolled her eyes dramatically.
Great. No more time to catch up with my friends-to-be! Thanks a lot… guy!
[And now, from this moment forward, everything you do… everything you are… is valued.]