Nova Stars

Chapter 6

Chapter 6

Thoughts

“Kira! I’m so happy for you, well done for joining.”

“Oh, thank you,” Kira laughed, “She must have shown you the message. Come on, join with me.” Katsumi shook her head.

“Why not, why are you so against it?” Kira questioned.

“Because, I just … I don’t want to sell myself.”

“How many times do I have to say this, it’s not selling yourself, silly.”

“I’m perfectly fine with doing what I’m doing now, thank you though.”

“Come on Katsumi, you have all the skills, you have the voice, you have the stamina. Remember in the first year? We always used to do everything together.”

“I know, I was actually looking a picture of us last night after reading your text.” Kira became still.

“So, why then? Just join me, come on! There’s nothing to lose!”

“Apart from my dignity, self-confidence and everything else, ye, sure. Thank you but no.” Katsumi walked away, agitated by the persistence of Kira trying to get her to do something she didn’t want to.

“Why…?” Whispering, Kira watched her walk away, upset. They always did everything together, but clearly not anymore as of recently.

With Katsumi gone, Kira went straight to practise since it was the end of the day, knocked on the door and walked in.

“Hey, Kira!” Akari shouted, everyone turning around and smiled.

“Where is everyone?”

“Oh, Natsuki went to the milkshake hut with Aya, apparently they always do on Fridays because their mothers are close friends and … oh ye, Miyuki and Aries are working on some important school documents. So it’s just the 7 of us today so it seems.” Kira walked forward into the centre of the room and looked in the mirror, seeing all the 7 girls, the others seeming really excited that she decided to join.

“So where is Katsumi?” Elizabeth asked, Kira became noticeably unfocused on everything, her face dropping.

“You seem upset, what happened?”

“Oh nothing Yoshi, it’s fine!” She forced a smile.

“Is it what I think it is?” Mizuki whispered into Kira’s ear what she assumed it was. Kira nodded.

“Bless, it’s ok, just try and forget about it, it doesn’t take her long to get over things.” Kira thanked Mizuki and all of them to begin warming up soon after; Kira thinking about what Katsumi was doing the whole time, despite trying to forget about it.

Little did she know, she had gone home, got changed, ready to go for a jog.

“Bye guys!” Katsumi shouted, closing the door behind her. She took out her phone, plugged her earphones is, put the earphones in her ears, secured her water bottle and put the phone back into her jacket pocket.

About 20 minutes later, she pulled out her water battle to have a drink. Looking forward, she undid the cap and went to take a sip, only to find there was no water in it. She dropped it into a nearby bin and turned right inside of going left, which was the way she wanted to go as a part to complete the route.

She panted, stopping for a second, trying to catch her breathe whilst looking at the floor and becoming dehydrated. After she thought she was ok, she immediately continued to run only to stop a second later.

“Oi watch whe- oh, hey there Katsumi, you should be more cautious I almost dropped my milkshake.”

“Hey Natsuki, what are you doing here?”

“I was just on my way to the shop quick, my mother sent me to go get some sweets for Aya and I, both of them plus Aya’s mother are still there though. So, what are you so huffed about?”

“I was jogging.”

“No, you seem annoyed.”

“Oh it’s nothing, just Kira is trying to make me join Nova Stars and I’m not going to sell myself.”

“Well, she’d your friend, don’t get all angry.”

“Look, you may enjoy it but I'm certain I won’t.”

“You sound exactly like I did at first but actually, once you try it, you may find it enjoyable. You’re as stubborn as a mule, honestly, just come to a practise and join in.”

“Unofficially?”

“Unofficially, yes.”

“Ok, when though?”

“Now if you want.” Natsuki called Aya.

“Hey, Aya tell them that we’re heading to practise and meet me by the port gate, could you bring an extra milkshake as well please?” she inquired.

“Sure, on it. Cya.” Aya hung up.

“Thank you, you didn’t have to.” Katsumi panted.

“Don’t worry about it, it’s fine, we’ll head off to practise once Aya is here.”

Once Aya had arrived, she handed Katsumi her milkshake, Natsuki payed Aya back and they all returned back, but to the club room this time. The other girls were in the middle of practise, dancing new choreography to the melody of Mizuki’s piano. Aries and Miyuki were also there.

“We’re back! Nice to see you Kira.” Natsuki bursted.

“Nice to see y- … Katsumi...?” Kira was puzzled.

“Before you say anything, I’m sorry, all you were saying was too much for me and I had to walk away. I went for a jog and bumped into Natsuki who said I should at least try it out first, so how long have you got left?” Katsumi apologised.

“Don’t apologise. Thank you for trying, we have 2 hours left, show us what I’ve always known you’ve had!” Kira smiled and offered her hand out for Katsumi to take, which she did, hugging her afterwards.

The last couple of hours was spent with Katsumi learning Shining Yume and then at the end, they uploaded the final result onto their new YouTube page that Sigma, Miki and Katherine had kindly made for them.

“Zuki!”

“Ye?” She shouted back from her room.

“I have a question for you.” Mizuki walked to Katsumi’s room and opened the door.

“Please may I do that again… it was fun. Kira seemed upset when I walked in and I realised it was probably because of me, I didn’t listen to her and what she was saying was true. I want to shine like the rest of you. Please, can I become an official member?” Katsumi confessed.

“Of course. Welcome to the group, Katsumi.” Mizuki smiled.

“Do you know the chant?” She asked.

“How could I not, you were practising it before the performance day.” Katsumi put her hand in front of her, Mizuki doing the same.

“3, 2, 1” they counted.

“Nova Stars! Shine bright!” they cheered.

“What are you doing, weirdos? I’m trying to study.” Their younger brother had walked in, confused. Instead of responding, they just laughed.

Nova Stars started as 2.

It went to 5.

Then to 10.

Finally, it was 12, and it felt complete.