The Sound Of Static

Walking through the school gates, I was brought out of my thoughts by someone punching my shoulder.

"Oi, how long are you going to stare into space?"

Turning towards the person, my eyes widened.

"Okubo?!"

She was standing in front of me with a pouty face.

Why is she still trying to talk to me?! I'm bad for her reputation.

"Before you ask, no, you don't need to avoid me anymore. I argued with Mr. Koyanagi and even threatened to give up on being an idol, which made him change his mind."

A small smile was enveloping her face as she talked, which grew into a bigger one when she finished.

Why... why did she do this? Her life will be harder with me in it.

"And that brings me to a question!"

She pointed her finger at me, and her tone grew more serious.

"What happened to you? How and why are you so gloomy?"

Her hand fell by her side, and a concerned look was on her face.

"Actually, those were two questions..."

I tried to lighten up the mood a bit, but her face held the same fear. Laughing nervously, I look towards the school building.

"Look, classes are starting! We should really—"

"I can call my manager and make him give us a note, so don't worry about absence. Just tell me what's wrong."

Hikari cut me off. Her tone was even more serious, and she looked like she'd start crying any second.

"Hey, calm down. I'm okay! Everything's fine!"

Trying to act normally, I give her a smile and reach for her shoulder to comfort her, but she slaps my hand away.

"DON'T GIVE ME THAT LAME EXCUSE!"

She shouted at me with tearful eyes. I backed away from her with shock.

"I gave that excuse to the producer every time I felt down. I know when somebody's lying, so please don't lie. It hurts me..."

The hurt look on her face made me feel uneasy and guilty. My head fell down.

Maybe... no... I-I shouldn't. It would be too much for her...

I raised my head and looked her in the eyes.

But her eyes... It's like she's telling me that she wants to help me... I don't deserve her help.

As I was about to say something, the sound of static suddenly appeared.

What's with this sound again?

"Gina?"

I could hear Hikari ask in fear while I drifted off into space.

A vision appeared in front of me.

"What do you want to become, ムﾉ刀ﾑ?"

A tall, dark woman figure asked. She was standing in front of a door.

"I want to become a 丂ﾉ刀ム乇尺! So that I can always make you happy, Mom!"

A figure of a little kid appeared next to the woman's.

What is this?! Why do I have memories of other people?

"That's nice! I hope I get free tickets."

The woman laughed a bit as the child hugged her.

"If they don't let you in, I won't 丂ﾉ刀ム!"

This somehow... seems... odd...

The child exclaimed. After the child let go of the woman, she walked through the door.

"Mom, what are you doing in my bedroom?"

The child followed her in. Everything around me was slowly starting to get swallowed by static as I followed them.

What's happening?! Why am I seeing this?!

"I'm sorry, dear, but I have to do something. Can you go out and play at the park?"

The woman was looking through the window as she spoke.

"But I don't want to! I want to play with my toys!"

The little boy pouted.

"Okay, take your toys with you and play somewhere else. I have to clean your room."

The woman turned around with a big smile. I could tell, by the white circles and a white curve, where her eyes and mouth should be.

Why is she a shadow? Why can't I see her?

"Okay, fine."

The boy grabbed the toys, and as he left the room, static swallowed my vision.

"GINA!"

I was back in reality, and Hikari was shaking me.

"Huh... Hikari, why are you shaking me?"

I said with a confused face. After she heard me, she punched my shoulder.

"YOU IDIOT! You spaced out, and I became concerned that something had happened!"

She was full-on crying while speaking.

"Hey, I'm oka—OW!"

I was punched in the shoulder again.

"Every time you say that, I get nervous! Please tell me what is bothering you."

Hikari gazed at me with teary eyes before she hugged me.

"Hi—Okubo!"

My face heated up, and my whole body was shaking from nervousness.

"I don't care if anyone sees us. You're more important."

She mumbled into my shirt, which made my heart race.

This somehow feels... familiar...

A memory of two small kids hugging passed through my head.

Ah, that's why...

Looking down at Hikari, I wrapped my hands around her, which made her hug me tighter.

RING!

The school bell rang, and the students rushed outside to get some fresh air. All of the students stopped when they saw me and Hikari in a hug.

"HA?!"

We both snapped out of our thoughts and looked at them. Both of our faces went pale when we saw them.

I want to die...

"WHAT IS GOING ON HERE?!"

A random blonde-haired girl screamed.

"ARE THEY IN A RELATIONSHIP?!"

One of the guys from my class yelled. Hikari and I jumped when we heard him.

"NO! I would never think about her that way!"

I waved my hands in front of me.

"Who gave you that idea?!"

Hikari crossed her hands and looked away. When she processed what I said, she looked at me.

"HEY! You don't think that I'm attractive?!"

She looked a bit irritated as she pointed her finger at me.

"T-That's not it! I only see you as a friend!"

I blurted out, trying to defend myself.

"FRIEND?!"

The whole crowd erupted. I froze, feeling nervous.

Oh no... I officially ruined her reputation...

"Well, he lied about being my bodyguard... We're actually childhood friends!"

Hikari spoke nonchalantly, as if it weren't a problem.

Hikari! You're just ruining your reputation more...

A bunch of jealous glares were directed at me.

"Oh, and if you try spreading around this information, I'll make you pay..."

A menacing aura surrounded Hikari as she laughed manically.

God... Remember not to make her angry ever again...

Everyone went silent and looked at her with fear.

"Do you understand?"

She eyed them with malice.

"Y-YES!"

The crowd dispersed, and we were left alone.

"You know, you can be quite scary sometimes."

I shivered as I commented.

"Oh, don't pretend like you didn't know it was an act!"

Hikari waved her hand and lightly punched my shoulder.

"But in all seriousness, please tell me what's bothering you."

Her tone quickly shifted into a serious one.

Should I...? Hm...

"Look, I don't want to talk about it currently, but when I feel like I can talk with you, I'll bring you over to my place and explain everything to you there."

Slightly shaking a bit, I try my hardest not to back out. I lowered my head and looked at the ground.

There were a few seconds of silence before a hand with only the pinky finger up appeared in front of me.

"Pinky promise?"

Looking up, Hikari had a small smile as she outstretched her pinky finger.

Heh, that's just like...

"Why don't we make a promise then?"

She smiles at me.

"What kind of promise?"

"That we're going to meet each other on stage and maybe even make a song together."

A smile graced my lips as I intertwined my pinky finger with hers.

"Pinky promise."

"Pinky promise, whoever lies will be made to swallow a thousand needles!"

Hikari spoke in a goofy manner with a silly face. I laughed at her antics.

"Hey! A pinky promise is important! I will make you swallow all those needles for real!"

Her voice sounded way too casual for me to take her seriously.

"Ah! A sadist!"

I imitated her goofy tone and pointed a finger at her.

"How did you know?!"

She acted shocked before starting to laugh. I joined in too.

Ah, if days could be like this...

RING!

The school bell rang, signaling the end of break.

"Come on, Gina! We're going to be late for second class!"

Hikari hopped towards the school entrance.

"Your manager better write us a note!"

I ran up to her.

"Oh, I'll make him!"

A mischievous grin spread across her face.