AMBiTiON/Story/Ch. 1

Chapter 1 - Starry Eyed Recruit
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Wow, that was stupid.

Not that she didn't want to form a band, but whatever that was yesterday could only be classified as extraordinarily extra.

A day had passed since Chihiro made her 'vow', and nothing at all happened. She now sat in her chair, just after the dismissal bell rang, her gaze aimlessly wandering around the room, scouting someone, anyone out... Nope, that one's too stupid to do anything. The girl by the blackboard, too quiet. And whoever that is over there… Definitely not. Definitely, definitely not.

If she didn't do anything now, Chihiro figured she'd drop this whole band thing in less than a second.

At the doorway of class 1-C stood a girl with periwinkle hair chatting with four other, infinitely less recognizable people Chihiro had forgotten the names of. Even from her profile, she immediately identified the purple-haired one with slightly tan skin as Aki Hoshime, also known as the prized smart kid of the first years, if not the entirety of Hanasakigawa. Goody two-shoes, do-no-wrong, child prodigy, loved-by-everyone, Hoshime-sama. With that being said, she probably also turned into the devil's spawn once she's off the teachers' radar. Who knew what kind of dirty gossip she hissed about with that posse of hers? Chihiro didn't care enough to even think about such a high-and-mighty, fake snake. Yet, she couldn't help but be bitterly envious around that perfect princess, and so listened in on their conversation.

"Wait, you're rehearsing today? Really?" Chihiro heard Hoshime ask the four.

"Yeah." One of them - a girl with raspberry-red hair - responded, "I mean, I get it, we never do anything for the band, but Micchan made that song the other day, so." She gestured to the introvert glasses-girl, apparently nicknamed 'Micchan'. Not that it mattered, since Chihiro forgot her real name.

Another one of the four piped up, a choppy-haired girl, "Sorry you're always busy after school," she gave an apologetic smile, "else we woulda invited you."

Hoshime looked disappointed, but no one in the group of four seemed to realize. "Oh, don't worry," she smiled back, "I wouldn't be much help anyways. Show me what it sounds like later!"

Soon the four girls waved goodbye to Hoshime and left together. As the violet-haired girl got ready to leave as well, Chihiro had to wonder, 'Did Hoshime want to be in their band too?'

Then a thought struck her. If she wanted to start a band, and Hoshime wanted to join one, couldn't Chihiro form one with her...?

That's it... That's it! The idea hit her like a bucket of coldl water as she imagined the shows they could have… shining, glittering as the world around them became a sea of glow sticks and a sun of the many spotlights beaming upon her, showing the world her strength as she shimmered onstage... Until another bucket was poured onto her as she realized, 'Why would some snob like Hoshime care about the stuff a bunch of nobodies are doing?' Yes, Chihiro simply imagined Hoshime's disappointment. That was all. Plus, if anything, the one shimmering onstage would be Hoshime... Chihiro would simply be the velvet cushion for that precious jewel of a girl.

Well, if she somehow managed to recruit Hoshime, maybe it would be good to take advantage of that natural talent at everything of hers - It would make Chihiro's job much easier. It's business! No need to get attached to a snake like that. Because when it came to Hoshime, it was backstab or be backstabbed. She was planning her course of action when she heard a familiar voice suddenly speak. "Did you need something, Satou-san?"

She nearly jumped out of her seat as her brain returned to reality and saw none other than Hoshime, who almost jumped as well in return. "Eek, sorry!" That girl squeaked with that stupid suck-up tone of hers.

"W-What did you mean, what did I need?"

"Huh? Oh, sorry, I thought you were looking at me because you... N-Nevermind!" And Chihiro only now recalled herself spacing out and staring at Hoshime as she daydreamed.

"Oh..." Chihiro gave a stiff smile, trying to keep up her persona. What should she say now? If she brushed it off, Hoshime would think she was being creepy. Chihiro never liked popular people like Hoshime, but she didn't want to get on her bad side either. She'd never want to be Chihiro's bandmate now!

But Chihiro hastily reasoned with herself. Since Hoshime initiated the conversation anyway, what if she asked her about joining the band...?

Of course it seemed overambitious to go for Hoshime - that girl probably looked down on lowly background character B's like Chihiro as if she were a roach. But what else could she say? The seconds were counting down...!

"Actually, s-say, Hoshime-san," Chihiro gradually began, "I saw you talking to, uh, those four about their band. You looked kinda..." she searched for the right word to use, "well, disappointed."

Hoshime looked surprised for a moment, and Chihiro immediately regretted pointing it out, but the girl just let a slightly embarrassed smile show on her face.

"Oh, you noticed?" She admitted. "Yeah, if I have to be honest, just a little bit. Erm, what about it?"

Chihiro panicked again as she stumbled on her possible words, not expecting such a direct prompt for her to speak. "Um? Well..." She was hoping to invite Hoshime a little more eloquently, but there was no time to think. "I've been considering starting a band, and I was wondering if you wanted to join..."

Oh, no. That was way, way too straightforward! Idiot, why didn't Chihiro use a better transition?! No way would she accept that offer now...!

"Really?!"

The last thing Chihiro expected was a starry-eyed Hoshime excitedly eyeing her down like a dog who heard the word 'walk'. And yet, she matched that description perfectly.

Chihiro blinked in shock. "Y-Yeah, really."

"Why, 'course I'll join!" Hoshime's crystal blue eyes brightened further, something Chihiro didn't think was even possible. "Then, Satou-san, should I have yer phone number too?"

They quickly traded contact information, before Hoshime announced that she had to go to volleyball practice. 'Sure,' thought Chihiro, 'I expected someone like her to be so busy.' But...

"O-One more thing." Chihiro started. "Uh... Do you want to eat lunch with me tomorrow?"

What a lame line delivery... but it didn't seem to bother Hoshime. Though this time, she hesitated just a bit before replying, "... Okay!"

And with that, the little princess left, her ponytail swaying after her. Chihiro silently stared at her departing figure, finally accepting everything that just happened as reality.

Only then did Chihiro notice she had been holding a breath she didn't even know about. The new air she breathed in was almost suffocating. It didn't matter; she was so glad.

Chihiro finally got up from her chair when she realized her foot had fallen asleep at some point from her not standing up once since last period started. It didn't matter; she was so, so glad.

Stepping outside of the school, the warm sunshine smiled at Chihiro, as if in congratulations for her success. A conversation like that would be mundane to the normal person, but to Chihiro it was the most successful she had ever felt in her life.

The world almost looked a little brighter. With angry needles poking at her still-asleep foot, Chihiro looked up at the great blue skies and thanked the clouds for granting her wish. But if she wanted to form a band, then it wasn't over yet. Now, though, she was more assured than ever.

She was so, so, so glad.

Maybe it was finally her time to shine.

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