Fractal Plane: Awakener's Pact

Chapter 9 - Let's Heat Things Up!

1

Imperial Tracks at 4:00 p.m. was definitely not a place Kazuki found himself comfortable in. People packed the outside of the four-storey music store in anticipation for the much-awaited event. Hordes of people clogged the already-wide street, and the noise was a bit too much for his liking.

"Whooaa," said his sister in amazement. "I didn't know it would turn up like this."

On the other hand, Kazuki's thoughts were on how thrilled his sister was when he came back home at around 1 p.m. a while ago.

"We have to be there as early as we can! Who knows? We might be able to join some pre-show event or even take a peek at her rehearsal routine," said his little sister. "You know, a lot of idols also have pre-show surprises. A kind soul like Yuki-tan would surely be unable to resist posing for some of her fans before the show. And if we were there early..."

"Make sure to behave yourself and not do anything that would embarrass yourself," replied the brother snarkily.

"Says the normie who does not even know the calls and the chants," teased Hikari back.

"How ironic, calling me a normie. I'm just not as well-versed in idols and all."

"Well, now you better be. Seeing Yuki-tan will turn you into a believer!"

Looking at his phone in the present, Kazuki think that they did a good job being on-time at least.

Having passed through the makeshift entrance to the event area, Kazuki looked at the crowd with some amusement of his own. He tightened the grip on his sister's hand ever slightly as he struggled to find a place to stand by and wait.

Bodies stood and moved around as far as his eyes can see, and at the end of the sea of people stood a spacious and colorful stage. Spotlights spun around and changed colors while a pop tune played over four loudspeakers flanking the stage.

"Yo! I didn't expect to see you here, my man!"

The familiar voice stood out among the numerous crowd noises, and Kazuki turned to his right to see Shiki waving at him and wading through the crowd. He eventually stood in front of the siblings proudly showing off his shirt featuring a cartoon drawing of Yuki-tan.

It could be because of the event, but he also wore an uncharacteristically pink bandana today.

Along with the four glowsticks he had with each hand, he looked completely at home here.

Hikari was the first one to greet him with much enthusiasm. "Hi!"

"Is the unthinkable happening? Has my apprentice finally seen the light and embrace the joys of idol culture?" he said with eyes that seem fiery and sparkly at the same time. "Oh, Hikari-chan! Have you converted your brother to the light?"

"Dream on, Shiki."

"But Big Bro got a raffle voucher for the backstage pass event along with me, look! We're lucky, huh? Dr. Kagami gave these to us!"

Hikari brought out the two plastic cards with their respective numbers.

"39 is Big Bro's, and 40 is mine!"

"Wow! That's amazing. Normally, you'd find these inside Yuki-tan's CDs and photobooks. They say the odds of getting one are astronomically low, but I was lucky to have gotten one out of twenty items I bought."

Out of his pocket, Shiki then took out seven similar plastic cards. He flashed all of them one by one at the astonished Hikari, all the while wearing a smug look on his face.

"How about the other six?" asked Hikari.

"Weeell, long story. But I had to crawl and fight like a true man for the other six."