Misunderstandings

"Where did she go?"

Mirai sighed as she closed the door leading to one of the dance studios. Their training should have started twenty minutes ago, but Emo hadn't shown up. Rinka had offered to go get her, maybe she just forgot?

They had separated a few minutes ago, each going in a different corridor to extend their research as much as possible... which was giving nothing for the moment. Mirai didn't understand. Emo was always excited when they had to train, always wanting to get better, so one day she'll overtake Anna in popularity.

Mirai froze, and opened her eyes wide.

"Of course! Anna!"

There was only the young heiress to distract her best friend to the point that she forgets that they were having a workout. Mirai sighed, and resolved to go look in the hall. Maybe the two girls were there, already arguing?

"Seriously, we should lock them both up until they're honest with themselves," she mumbled.

She walked slightly faster, eager to find Emo to finally start their session. They had a new song to choreograph, and without Emo it was beyond impossible to start.

She sighed again, and turned around the corner of the corridor, before suddenly finding herself on her buttocks. She closed her eyes with a grimace, rubbing her aching bottom from the fall. What had she gotten into to make her hurt herself so badly?

"Mirai ?! Are you okay?! I'm sorry, I didn't see you!"

The young girl opened her eyes to see Sara's worried and panicked gaze at her level. She had crouched down, one hand on the floor to support her weight, and the other stretched out in front of her, inviting the young girl to take her up. Mirai smiled as she picked it up, letting herself be pulled up. Sara put both hands on her shoulders, and analyzed her from head to toe, looking for the slightest wound, worried.

Mirai chuckled, letting her reassure herself of her well-being.

"It's okay Sara, I didn't see where I was going either," she said at last when the young guitarist let go of her shoulders.

Sara smiled back, and leaned against the wall, gesturing for Mirai to do the same next to her.

"Were you looking for something?"

Mirai sighed, remembering what to do. "Emo's missing, most likely being held by Anna, and I have no idea where they might be."

Sara sighed, and nodded.

"I see. I can help you find her if you want. Anyway, I also have to find Anna. If she does not study, her mother risks depriving her of the Prichan."

"You don't mind? Thank you!"

Mirai gave her a bright smile, and Sara returned it, a little more tenderly. She straightened up, Mirai mimicking her, and the two girls started walking down the hall. Mirai's morale brightened not to be alone anymore, and Sara grinned when she saw her good humor.

"I wonder where Anna and Emo have gone, anyway," Mirai thought aloud. "Usually they can be heard from a mile away."

Sara let out a laugh. "Maybe for once they're talking instead of yelling at each other. It wouldn't be too soon."

Both tried to imagine the two big-character idols trying to get along by talking rather than shouting, and chuckled.

"Impossible," laughed Mirai. "It would be too good for them to finally agree on how they feel."

"We can always dream," joked the guitarist. "Unfortunately, I know that Anna refuses to face the truth..."

A relaxed silence accompanied them for a moment, before Sara resumed.