Project Sekai Shuffle AU: Passion Seekers

An Encounter With Old Friends

Walking through the stores of the mall, eventually the four of them stopped at a music shop. One with things they could stock up on. "Oh. . .I'm too short. . ." Tsukasa heard Kanade whisper under her breath. "I can't reach either. . ." Mafuyu replied, attempting to reach for the item Kanade needed. The taller blonde boy walked over, "which one do you need, Kanade?" Tsukasa asked, helping Kanade and Mafuyu.

"The one on the right please. . ."
"Alright. . ."

He reached up to the shelf, taking a pack of blank sheet music down for Kanade. "Thank you, Tsukasa," Kanade said. "There you guys are," a familiar voice called out from behind them. Turning around, the three saw an orange head making his way over. "Oh, hello Akito," Kanade said softly with a smile. "Where did you go?" Mafuyu asked, grabbing onto Kanade's hand.

"I went to the other end of the store to see if they had some software for music"
"I see, do you not have any?"
"No, not at home, and I don't think Ena has any I can borrow,"
"Right, Ena draws, correct?"
"That's correct, Tsukasa,"

The four looked around the store a little longer before moving onto another one. Walking past many different shops, they talked about how they could improve their music together and how they would be able to help each other and occasionally sharing stories from school.

- 3 -

"Nene, Nene! Let's go over here!" A girl with short pink hair shouted, jumping around two taller people. "Alright, let's go," Nene said, following behind the girl. "Ah, right, After we go there, can we head to this store?" Rui asked. The two girls agreed and made their way to the store Emu fancied. Walking towards the store, Nene suddenly stopped.

"Nene? Are you ok?"

Silence. . .

"Nene?"

Nene intently stared at something in the near distance.

"Tsu. . .Tsukasa? . ."

Nene called out. A group of four in front of them stopped moving for a moment. One of the four, a blonde with long hair, looked back in the direction he heard his name being called. "Is. . .that you? . ." Nene asked, her voice beginning to shake, Rui and Emu now knowing who Nene was looking at. Akito, Kanade, and Mafuyu had also turned back to see the commotion.

- 3 -

Looking behind him, Tsukasa saw three people he once considered friends. Freezing on the spot and he feared for this day. He told himself he never wanted to see them again. ". . ." Tsukasa stayed silent. An eerie silence filled the room, it was like the only people in the mall were them. It felt like one of those scenes from a book he read, where it became a world of only them. It didn't matter that he was out in public where there were plenty of people. He was only able to see and hear Nene.

Tsukasa felt himself going numb, he was starting to shake. He wanted to say something. Tsukasa began to back up. Before he could stop himself, He had already realized he started to run away. He heard the familiar voices called out to him as he ran.

- 3 -

Kanade watched Tsukasa run away, wanting to chase after him. "Kanade, I go get him. . .I think they want to talk. . ." Mafuyu whispered, heading off in Tsukasa's direction. ". . .ok" With Mafuyu and Tsukasa, the 5 of them were left, awkwardly staring at each other. Kanade was about to run herself. "Rui, Nene, Emu. . .I know you guys were close with Tsukasa. But clearly, something has happened between you guys. And judging by his response, he probably doesn't want anything to do with you guys anymore." Akito said, breaking the silence and making his way over beside Kanade. "We just wanted to-" Emu tried to speak but was interrupted by Akito. "I don't know what happened between you guys," Akito lied. He knew exactly everything that happened. He pulled through, also wanting to get out of this situation as soon as possible. "But I think it would be best if you guys give him some space even if you guys haven't spoken in a while now." Akito stated, hoping what he said would give them a clue and make them leave.

"Nene. . .Emu, we should go. . ." Rui said. Akito looked up at his senior. He sensed a feeling of shame or worry from him. "Sorry for bothering you guys, we will be leaving now. . ." Rui added, walking away and taking Nene and Emu along with him. "But-" "let's go, Emu. . ."