sᴄʜᴏᴏʟ ɪs ᴍɪɴᴇ

Music had been an interest of Landon’s since he’d moved in with his “grandpa” at age nine. He was okay with it— would never become famous, and that was fine— but he enjoyed how malleable and mathematic music truly was nonetheless. Enough fiddling and anything could sound decent; he’d know, given the amount of times girls had asked him to write a song and he’d simply played them nonsense. Pretty nonsense, but nonsense. It was an enjoyable hobby, especially since he’d realized that playing one string instrument meant he could essentially play any of them.

While Landon hadn’t expected much out here on this island, a strange detour on their inevitable path to destruction as it was, he was pleasantly surprised to find that they’d been given more than just food and huts. Stuffed away in a shed on the beach, there was a guitar. Out of tune and slightly banged up, but a guitar. His eyes lit with more interest than they’d been graced with for weeks, and immediately he’d taken it out and began fiddling with the strings in the sand. Eventually, he got it as tuned as he could be bothered to, and he began to recall various tunes to refresh not only his memory but his reflex. Music, in many ways, was training— or at least it was to him, one with little natural talent in the field as he was.

Lame.

Miku couldn't say she was surprised; she was pretty sure the inhabitants of this place were mostly kids from her school; most of the kids from her school seemed pretty boring. Boring or weird. What would they know about instruments of any sort? Or singing, for that matter?

The bluette let out a soft sigh. She wondered what it would be like to have someone here to sing with-- they didn't have to sing themselves, if they could just play something for her, she would be more than happy to accompany them.

Oh well. Where was she going to find someone like that around here? With her feelings beginning to drift into an ocean of pout, she began to wander away from the crowds of students walking around, off to an area more isolated.

Then she heard something.

"Hm?"

Was that a guitar? She was certain it was, even if it sounded a little. . off.  Curious, she followed the sound to find a young man playing a pretty beat up looking instrument. Where'd he get that thing?

"Ooooh ~."

The confession of her adoration didn’t even touch the depths that Rise looked up to Miku. Only a year older than herself, and the queen could almost be quite literally called that. She deserved some sort of crown for her mega-stardom. At least, that’s what Rise thought. It was possible for her to go on for hours, writing an essay on the reasons why she looked up to her.

She continued softly sipping on her smoothie, rosy cheeks showing the embarrassment that she felt from even speaking to her. Miku just was on another level, a whole different level of stardom! Rise had fans, Miku had fanatics… That’s why Rise let a quiet, high pitched squeal when her presence was acknowledged.

“M-Me?” She’d be dumbstruck that she was even being spoken to, asking again just to make sure she wasn’t mistaken. Her name being spoken only confirmed it, causing her blush to deepen as she listened to her inspiration. 

Besides, it wasn't her fault Rise happened to be more naive than her! It was just how the game worked. The world favored some more than others; Miku was just so happened to be one of the lucky some.

With this in mind, the chipper bluette offered another dazzling smile; she needed to mask the devious curling that was trying to overthrow the edges of her mouth. Not to mention, she was sure she had caught a bit of a squeak coming from the other female-- that was definitely a positive sign! As Miku recalled, hushed squeals were a good indicator of shy loyalty. Shy loyalty usually meant hard dedication. Wasn't that nice?

"O'course you, silly. Who else would I be talkin' to ~?"

A wink was offered with her teasing words as the small pop star reached for her smoothie once more. While observing her new acquaintance's reactions and gestures, she slurped down another bit of her peach beverage. This thing was so good! It was almost sad thinking that she was so able to enjoy it as she led Rise into her kingdom. Was the bluette really leading her, though?

After all, every word Miku caught off of Rise's lips screamed that she was at the Princess' disposal. It wasn't as though the petite figure was reeling this girl in-- it was more like this girl was running in with her eyes closed. That couldn't be helped, right?

"Y'don't need to thank me, y'know. Your pictures were gorgeous. I was kinda jealous, t'be honest."  With her straw still between her lips, she gave another bright grin. Worthy, huh? Oh, yes, Rise would be a perfect subject in The Hatsune Kingdom. "And o'course! Cute girls gotta watch out for one another, right? 'Specially in a place like this where weirdos can creep around."

Shhllllpt.

Well, darn! It seemed her smoothie had run out. Guess it was time to see just exactly what this new ally was willing to do. "Well, if you really wanna help. ."

“Oh! It appears they are!”

How perfect! She could get them ice cream, even if the store didn’t have any in stock!

"Don't worry, Yuki, I can buy my own!"

If it had been anyone else, Miku would have taken the offer gladly-- but Yuki was too sweet to be treated in such a way. Girls as kind as her shouldn't have had to worry about others; they shouldn't have even had to worry about themselves!

“Easier?” He grinned. “Point of this life is that, nothing can progress smoothly or easier. Even the rocks wither, you know.” The blonde stated in his natural matter-of-factly statement. “I might be a little bit hard-headed or stubborn and regulations do not apply to me but I can change anytime. Though anytime usually takes longer.” A difficult bargain he is, and will remain as that. Anyhow, nothing is ever constant in this world, except change. But change is another thing to explain.

He shrugged and let out an irritated sign only to pretend that he was annoyed. But honestly, it takes more than that to piss someone like Dwight. He has the longest patience and even if some jokes are not meant to be said or insults that were rather not implied, his only option is to smile and ignore it.

While his expression seemed convincing to him, he’s not actually sure if he does. Thing about him is, he’s always having a hard time trying to appear bothered because his demeanor is often seized by positive emotions. Which makes people around him think he’s serious when he pretends. It’s a good thing for him. So he can evade questions regarding something that he wants to remain unanswered.

But he couldn’t last long. He isn’t the pretentious type of person even though he have secrets himself, if someone would eventually ask, he’ll tell them in no time as if it wasn’t something he’s concealing before. “My, darling.. I believe I’m nothing as such.” Quite pleasing to hear but not really convincing to physically accept. He knows that already. That his looks can compete with other men around but that’s not worth bragging about, is it?

So, the game continued.

It seemed she had won a grin.

That was good.

"If rocks wither, what's the point in being as hard as one?" With this, the petite female offered a bit of a wink; while she meant "hard" as is in difficult, she caught the possibility of a sexual innuendo and decided to play with it. Feeling this guy out could be fun, right? "Y'tryin' to hint at somethin'?" Cutely, she gave a tilt of the head and small sway of the figure.

Once again, a piece of her was beginning to long for the idea of her taking time to really understand that tall figure before her. He said himself that he could change over time; was he trying to get her hooked? Hooked. Hah! She wasn't going to go down that easily! She needed to stay sharp. She was sure she could see what he was doing.

"Butcha know, I'm not so sure I have time t'be tryin' to change people."

As she had done in the near past, she allowed her eyes to trail to various figures still hanging around the area. It seemed most of the room had cleared out, save a few groups idly chatting. She allowed her expression to become less interested in the blonde and more interested in the few bodies standing around-- it was part of her tugging technique. She wanted him to feel her drifting and she wanted him to make a move to stop it. To emphasize this, she even went as far as to slightly turn away from him once more. Whether or not he was to agree to this challenge, he was going to get her obstacles.

She expected the same from him.

Seeing the confident male's agitated gestures affirmed her expectations.

Was he trying to tug, too?

If he was, it seemed as though he had cracked rather easily-- his expression lost its aggression in a matter of minutes. Huh. Wonder what that was about. Miku was beginning to spot quirks in this kid that she found slightly charming. Perhaps playing with him would be more enjoyable than she had anticipated. 

"Y'don't have t'be so modest, y'know." Though she intended to keep her act of disinterest prominent, she glanced back at the male and offered another wink. Honestly, she did find him pretty cute; she was pretty sure he knew he was cute, too. "Mmm, so y'like shortcuts, huh?" That was an interesting quality. . one that could be useful in a backhanded challenge like life-or-death in this school. "Alrighty, then, guess we have an agreement." Finally, Miku faced the young man and held out her hand to offer a shake.

"I'm Miku, by the way ~. Miku Hatsune."

A little bit of anxiousness settled in the back of her head-- this guy intrigued her a bit too much. Still, she was sure she could pull one up on him. . so long as she could keep her priorities in line. As interesting as he was and as fond as she was sure she could be of him, she wasn't going to lose. She couldn't afford to lose.

She would take this time to get to know his strengths and weaknesses. She would get all she could out of him and use him to his fullest potential.

That was all.

“Ah, yes, that would be good place to start looking. Indeed, let’s head on our way!”

Yuki started to walk, a bit of bounce in her step. So far, she was having a great time hanging out with Miku, and it had only been a few minutes. Maybe when they found the store, she could buy ice cream for them both, that is, if the store had any.

"Alrighty!" The teen idol was pretty stoked about this shopping idea-- she hadn't talked to anyone normal in a long time! Yuki was the perfect partner to get clothes with.

That's what Yuki had meant by shopping, wasn't it?

Minor details, minor details. It didn't matter so much what they were buying, so long as they were doing something together. This whole killing business had built a huge wall around Miku, which made her feel isolated. She was ready for some bonding time!

"Oh, hey, are they selling ice cream?"

“It’s very nice to meet you, Miss Hatsune!”

Yuki shook Miku’s hand happily. She was happy to find someone who was so nice, and could help her find the store. It would also be nice to finally spend time with someone for more than five minutes.

"It's nice t'meet you, too, Yuki!" What an adorable little Princess Yuki was! Miku was pretty excited to be able to help her find a store around this beach area; and who knew? Maybe the two would be seeing a lot of each other after this, too.

“Ah, you would really try to help me out? Thank you so much!” Yuki smiled at the teal haired girl. She seemed nice, maybe the two could become friends even.

"Of course! Things are always easier t'find when you have someone t'help you out." Miku found this girl to be very cute-- she was sure a day of shopping with such an adorable girl could only promise happiness! Easily, she returned the beam and offered her hand.

“I’d much rather, at the very least, study instead of have a… a vacation.”  He paused, moving his hand to push the lenses up, masking his eyes as he continued, “Most of the people I’ve seen don’t look like they’d purposefully hurt anyone, anyways.”  Another pause as he grinned, though it was more spiteful than out of jest.  ”There’s certainly no reason to be worried even about getting killed — I’m surely not, and I won’t be.”

"Yeah, and whatcha gunna study? How to murder everyone to get out of a prison? Or maybe you're thinkin' you're the master mind who can figure his way outta here ~?"

Curiosity brightened her features as she tilted her head to one side and studied the boy. Strange how someone could hold such ignorance in this kind of setting-- did he really think relying on his eyes would get him far?

"Well, you keep trustin' people you see. Just be sure to keep your eyes open when you feel a knife in your back; y'might be able to see who stabbed you."