SHSL Enka Singer Rue Kuroki

Was she holding roses? Rue missed those. She hadn’t seem roses in a while, exception in her kimono and ascessories.  Would be Aona too offended if Rue were to ask one?

She fumbled with the things in her hands, and watched as they fell to the ground. God, she was a wreck.

“Kuroki-s-senpai…!”

This was so uncharacteristic.

“I m-mean– I really like y-your– I mean, my grandparents like your… because I live with them and all and I just listen to it a lot, I, uhh… not that enka isn’t cool or anything– it’s really cool!”

She thought about saying ‘I’ll do anything for you!’ but that’s a little weird.

“Favor? What'cha need?”

“Ah... Thank you,” she smiled a bit. She was happy when people liked her music, even though she didn’t know what people did, “You and your grandparents, thank you,”

The new areas didn’t seem particularly interesting: there was a gym, Rue generally avoided physical activity partially because she was lazy, partially because almost anything else risked injury that could draw blood and that wasn’t fun at all in Rue Kuroki’s world.  There was a weapon’s storage room, tennis courts, a shooting range, a tram station she’d explore later but more because she thought it’d be useful. 

And there wasn’t a dojo, Rue had been determined to pretend there wasn’t one… Until she had explored everything else and decided to make herself suffer with memories she’d rather forget. Did she even remember kendo? Did she even want to remember? At least the place didn’t look particularly nostalgic, it was fairly different from that dojo.

She found her roomate whom she didn’t particularly talk much punching a bag. Muwata came off as the type who liked to punch living people, but Rue could be wrong. Should her greet her roomate? Self-defense could be interesting to learn in that place, but once again, blood. And bad memories. Both were equally bad. Good reflexes, though.

“Ah, I do agree they definetely didn’t,”

“I appreciate how you notice my honed skills. You are the roommate, Rue Kuroki, are you not?”  

The girl offered Rue an oddly polite bow before holding the punching bag in place. She then sat down, cross legged and pat the ground next to her. At least half an hour or so had passed since she utilized the room anyway. While Muwata could keep going, perhaps she could show some courteous behavior to one who did nothing wrong. After all, she could sense something…somewhat good in Rue, for now.

“Tell me then: Have you considered my proposition for recruitment?I spoke of it after the final curtain fell on our shameful display of a trial.”

Rue... Remembered the proposition, yes. She more or less agreed with it, except she didn’t expect to join forces with Muwata, mostly because the singer wasn’t much of a team player, as far as she was concerned. 

It hurt her to watch Sachi. By the time it was over, she realized that she had dug her nails into her palms, and that her heart beat had become irregular. Deep breaths… deep breaths… she left the courtroom still trying to keep as straight of a face as she could, and immediately retreated to her room for the night. Was she going to be okay? Probably.

–

The next morning, she was a little curious to check out the new areas– but first… she’d have to cash in the Monocoins she had gotten during investigating, plus another she had grabbed from the bag earlier, too. 

She walked over cautiously, but holding her chest high. Of course, she was a little nervous about the death threats, but that wouldn’t stop her from doing what she needed to do! No way!

As she approached the machine, she inserted the coins in one by one until she was left with 4 different items in front of her.

#013 Old Worn Photo

Featuring two boys at about twelve years old, both with dark hair and one with glasses. Wait… why’s the other one’s face crossed out in black sharpie? I’m not making the fucking look at this photograph joke again.

#009 Music Folder A folder full of sheet music for an ensemble. It all seems to be the same music for a piece titled “The Lost Lady Found.” With the wide diversity of instruments included that can play it, if you play a non-string instrument it seems as if you too could learn the song! …With practice.

#107 Instructional Line Dancing Video

For all your wild parties! Comes with Todo Todo, Chili Chili Cha Cha, Papaya Cha Cha, and more!

#087 Rose Bouquet

A bouquet of fresh white roses, tied by brand new white satin ribbon. How is it still fresh is anyone’s guess.

(Okay, for the record, I read ‘Worn Photograph’ as ‘Worm Photograph’ and I kind of died a little inside.)

All of this was… completely useless. Great! Greeeeat! What was she going to do with a weird picture, music stuff, a dancing video, and flowers? She shook her head. Maybe she’d tie her hair back with the ribbon… it was kind of… cute. Sort of.

“Well, this was a wasted effort.”

Was she holding roses? Rue missed those. She hadn’t seem roses in a while, exception in her kimono and ascessories.  Would be Aona too offended if Rue were to ask one?

So that was where Sachi ended up? A shame, really, but it couldn’t be helped. She’d failed her too, so to training, she would go. It was a place to unwind for her, really. Upon seeing their updated maps the next day, Muwata burst out of her room in normal attire, ready to spar. She didn’t even bother to wear her workout gear. Would she sweat? Likely, but she simply did not care. She would be in a place that felt like home again. The girl’s very heart felt like it would leap from its chest. Why, she almost secretly thanked Sachi for dying, to get hold of a room like this; where she could be at peace with the world for a time. She inhaled and exhaled of the room slowly, only to take off her shoes upon realizing how disrespectful she was. This was a dojo, after all. She even offered the room a small bow before entering it completely. Yes: there would be no problems now. In the corner, Muwata found it, the sort of punching bag she yearned for so long upon being forced to live here. She leapt towards it, not even giving notice if someone joined her on her venture. She needed to get the anger out from the other day. Could one blame her, after feeling so defeated?

“HAAAAAAAAAAAAA!“

She punted the bag with a powerful knife hand, which sent the bag backwards with a force that might surprise some. She was small, sure, but Muwata was not weak! She attacked again now, this time hitting with a hooking kick. This was followed by a slight dodge upon seeing the bag move her way. 

The new areas didn’t seem particularly interesting: there was a gym, Rue generally avoided physical activity partially because she was lazy, partially because almost anything else risked injury that could draw blood and that wasn’t fun at all in Rue Kuroki’s world.  There was a weapon’s storage room, tennis courts, a shooting range, a tram station she’d explore later but more because she thought it’d be useful. 

And there wasn’t a dojo, Rue had been determined to pretend there wasn’t one... Until she had explored everything else and decided to make herself suffer with memories she’d rather forget. Did she even remember kendo? Did she even want to remember? At least the place didn’t look particularly nostalgic, it was fairly different from that dojo.

She found her roomate whom she didn’t particularly talk much punching a bag. Muwata came off as the type who liked to punch living people, but Rue could be wrong. Should her greet her roomate? Self-defense could be interesting to learn in that place, but once again, blood. And bad memories. Both were equally bad. Good reflexes, though.

“Ah, I do agree they definetely didn’t,”

"Ah, no I'm perfectly fine so there are no worries there! I'm glad to see that you are fine with our situation being what it is i wasn't sure if we would be able to ge help for anyone that was hurt," Nikao said that with a worried expression but quickly switched back to her usual self.

"Ah... Yes. I wouldn't, either. And there are no teachers in sight, and most likely no nurses, either."

She didn't think the talents were that simillar and even then, that didn't mean much. 

"Ah... This doesn't make your talent any less interesting, to be truly honest. And yes, I'm an enka singer..."

She was almost going to comment on how she was one of the few teens who admited knowing her work, but realized that'd be rude.

"Thank you,"

Rue’s first impulse whenever she woke up was fighting not to fall asleep again. She liked sleeping and it was widely known to be one of her favorite hobbies. It felt warm, relaxing and restful in...

Ninkao saw that yet another person had woken up from their forced sleep and smiled brightly at her. "Hi there, glad to see you're awake! I was getting worried, you seemed to be really knocked out. I guess you must have been tired or something." Ninkao giggled a little before taking on a slightly more apologetic tone.

"I'm sorry, I'm afraid I can't tell you anything. I don't know what is going on either and everyone seems a little confused. I don't think anyone knows much of anything about what is going on," Ninkao finished speaking and smiled apologetically before brightening up again.

"Though I can tell you my name! I'm Utsukita Ninkao, the Super High School Level Costume Maker, it's very nice to meet you!" Ninkao said with an unwavering smile until she remembered something.

"Ah... I apologize for worrying you, but I seem to be fine. I hope the same can be said about you?"

Rue nodded at Ninkao's introduction.

"I'm just as glad to meet you."

Costume Maker... It was an interesting title, especially to someone like her, who adored clothes. To whom Ninkao made costumes?

"This is an interesting talent to have, to be truly honest."

She covered another yawn with her hands. Hopefully that wouldn't worry the other.