20 Days In The Past - Aikatsu Love Story (SenAka)

Her Parents

         Akari could still vividly remember that night that shattered her life. It was on April 12, 2016 at 8:00pm that she found out. She was eating out with Hinaki and Sumire in a restaurant with a television, broadcasting the news.
           "Wow, there was a big car accident?" Hinaki commented, looking at the television.
           "It looks awful, and 5 cars involved?" Akari said, before seeing her parents' car in the background. When the cameras switched to the reporter, she glanced at the license plate, although a bit blurry, Akari recognized it right away. Her parents' car was uniquely painted and easy to identify.
         Her heart dropped. She felt tears welt up in her eyes.  Her mind was a swirling storm of doubt and confusion.   "Hey guys, I'm sorry, you'll have to excuse me." She said, before stepping outside onto the street.
         She rung her parents. The phone rang once. It rang twice. The number of rings slowly tested Akari's patience.
        "Hello, you've reached the number of Manabu Oozora, I'm sorry I cannot answer the phone right now, leave your name and number and I will get back to you as soon as I can."
        "Papa? Please answer!" Akari dialed again.
       "Hello, you've reached-" Akari angrily hung up, calling her mother.
       "The person you are calling--"
        "No!" She screamed, before sinking onto the side walk.  The feeling in her chest was like a hurricane. In the midst of her fear and panic, she heard her phone ring. She had no hesitation to answer.
        "Mama? Papa? are you okay?"
        "They are in the hospital, in the emergency room." She heard her aunts voice say.
        "Shut up!" She yelled. Passerby's turned to look at her, whispering to each other. "You're joking. Tell me this is a joke."
        "Do you think I would joke about this? Let's be real here." Akari looked at the ground, breaking down.
       "What are all of you staring at? Do your business!" She yelled at the passerby's. They all went doing their own thing, a couple pulling out their phones to gossip. Akari walked back inside, pulling money out of her wallet and placing it on the table.
        "Here's my share of the bill, I have to go." She said in a bitter, emotionless voice.
        "Akari, what's wrong?" Hinaki said, laying a hand on Akari's shoulder. Akari shrugged it off, before taking her stuff and leaving the restaurant. Ever since that night, Akari had lost passion in almost everything. Soon afterwards her grandmother was given custody, and her life went downhill.  She was unable to emotionally carry on idol activities, partly because she couldn't keep faking a smile.  Even though she wished to remain as an idol, her grandmother nagged her until she quit.

April 11, 2016

         "Hello mom! Hello Dad" Akari said entering her parent's house.
         "Akari-chan!" Her mother exclaimed happily.
         "Just in time, we made cookies." Her father said. 
         "Hey, are you still studying soil?" She asked, observing him looking into his microscope.  She tried hard not to get too emotional, as seeing her parents alive was still surreal.  Her father's eyes glittered as he looked up.
        "Hey sweetheart, my daughter is finally taking an interest." He said with a laugh, turning to her mother.  He turned back to Akari.  "The soil I'm looking at has the composition and properties to grow plants.  Take a look."
        Her mother giggled.  "Honey, I think you're going to make her cringe a little bit."
        Truth was, Akari missed being driven crazy with her father rambling on about soil.  To her parents it felt like a week.  To her, it had been 10 years.  She felt her heart warm up in the presence of her parents.  It was almost overwhelming seeing them truly alive. 
        "No, it's okay." She said. "Go on, tell me more about soil."
        "Am I hearing this right? Has she finally taken an interest in soil?"
        "Sure, I took a couple geology classes as an elective alongside of my degree.  I learned about metamorphic rock compositions and identifying how much pressure is applied for the texture of rocks.  It didn't really go with business, but-" Akari stopped herself, remembering she was still 15, and she hadn't even gone to university.
         "Wow, I didn't know Starlight taught geology." Her father said.
         "Wait you were studying business?" Her mother asked.
         "Oh, I mean that...you know, idol business?" She said.
         "Ahh I see."
         "I only have break for 1 hour, if that's okay with you."
         "Yeah of course, you're more than welcome here." Her mother said with a wink, pulling out cookies from the oven. She then proceeded to pull out some water melon slices, placing them in a bowl and handing them to her daughter.
       "Wow thank you mom!" Akari said taking the bowl.
       "So Papa, what's your favourite thing about studying soil? I can tell you have a preference for sedimentary rocks, is that right?"
        Her father's eyes widen in surprise.  He starts to ramble on, as Akari listens with a sad smile.  This was only her 2nd time seeing them again.  She hoped it wouldn't be the last this time.
        And so, time flew by faster than Akari hoped.  She stared at them for a long time, thinking about all the times she badly wanted this.  Before she left, she pulled her mom and dad into a big hug.
      "I missed you!" She said.
       "Well, we're only a phone call away sweetheart." Her father said as she pulled away.
       "I have to go again, but first there is something I need to tell you." Akari said.  It's time they knew.
       "Yes?" Her mother said, starting to pick on how tense her daughter is, she could almost read Akaris mind by her body language.  So did her father, they both knew something was up.  It was as if she had death in her mind.  It was in her eyes.  She hesitated, processing how to tell them without sounding too weird.
       "Something has been off about you.  Is everything okay?"
       "Well--" Oh dear, she couldn't remember the name of the road where the collision occurred.  That night was so vivid but now that she forced herself to think of it, it flushed her mind.  No, why now?  
        "Akari dear, you're scaring us." Her mother said.
        "Mama, Papa.....don't think I'm crazy.  There will be a car accident tomorrow night, I can't remember where it will be, but please don't drive past 6pm." She spat out, looking at them sternly.  Her mother giggled a bit and put her arm around Akari.
        "Sweetheart....don't tell me Sumire read out a bad tarot reading.  I'm sure we'll be fine.  Besides, your father can't leave work until 6:30pm and I'm the one who picks him up.  I promise we'll still be here."  For a second, Akari was at a loss for words.  Of course if she told them further that she time travelled, there wouldn't be a chance they'd listen.  Although against her morals, her only option was to lie.
        "There is a big event tomorrow night, and everyone will be in chaos to go.  Some people might not check their cars for safety, and someone's car may blow up."
        "Oh don't worry about us.  We'll be okay.  I promise." She said, before Akari's phone went off.  This could be my last time ever seeing them again.  She pulled her parents into a big hug, the hug lasted 45 seconds before she pulled away.
        "Mama, Papa, even if I sound crazy, do it for me? Maybe when you get out of work you can walk to a nearby Starbucks, or I can give you coupons to a restaurant nearby.  Enjoy a night, I think it should be safe after 8pm.  Just not between 6pm to 8pm."
        "Well if it makes you feel better, I don't see why not.  I wouldn't want you to worry about us at work." Her dad said, stroking the back of her head.  "And after all, the parents should worry about their child, not the other way around." He added.  Akari sighed in relief.  
         "Thank you.  I should get back to work soon." She said, before picking up her purse.  SHe gave them both one final hug and went her own way.  As Akari walked into the van meant to take her to her next gig, she saw her fairy godmother sitting in the back.  The fairy looked at her firmly.
       "Akari, there is something I must tell you, it is critical." She said, putting down her tea.