Love Live!: SHATTER [PART 9]

FULL CiRCLE - PASTEL*PALETTES:

*STUDIO LOUNGE - CiRCLE - SHINJUKU - TOKYO*

*MID AFTERNOON*

Soon after Afterglow left the room, the studio door creaked gently open again.

And in steps a group of five girls whose presence instantly transforms the space into something brighter and more polished.

They carry themselves with the effortless grace of seasoned performers. It takes me back to the time I watched them perform. And how their stage outfits were a harmonious blend of soft pastels and frilly accents that scream 'idol', while highlighting their bands name.

The girl at the front, I remember, is Aya Maruyama. She has vibrant pink hair and an infectious, bubbly bounce to her step, her wide eyes sparkling with genuine excitement as she scans the room.

Behind her, is a face a lot of people my age would recognize from their childhood TV viewing days. Chisato Shirasagi, a blonde girl with an air of refined elegance holds a bass case like it's an extension of her poised demeanor.

As for the other members of the band, they're lesser known to me. While Aya and Chisato are stars in their own right, I don't remember the names of the others.

The teal-haired girl radiates a quirky energy, her grin wide and her movements almost erratic, guitar slung casually over her shoulder.

The girl with glasses follows, adjusting her frames nervously, her shy posture contrasting the drumsticks tucked in her pocket.

Bringing up the rear is a tall foreign girl with white hair, her smile soft and polite, keyboard case handled with careful respect.

The five of them put their instruments down before coming over to meet me.

Pastel*Palettes.

AYA: "Hi there! You must be Akihiko! Marina told us all about you, you're the school idol guy from Nijigasaki getting ready for that huge festival!"

AKI: "Y-Yeah..."

'School idol guy' again? Is that who I am to these people?